Title: It Will Be Okay
Author: James Olds
Publisher: Brilliant Books Literary
ISBN: 979-8-88945-188-4
Pages: 115
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent
Pacific Book Review
It Will Be Okay is a riveting novel about faith, love, and redemption. Author James Olds has written a novel that will resonate with readers.
It Will Be Okay tells the story of John, a Korean war veteran who has an appointment with his Veteran Affairs social worker, Catherine. Throughout the visit, John tells her about his life, about how he lives with multiple sclerosis and how he copes with the debilitating pain of the illness. He also details how he lost custody of his sons from his first marriage, had emotional instability with his second marriage, and was very miserable in his third marriage with an emotionally abusive woman.
John also opens up about his failings in his marriages with his committing adultery in his first two marriages and his substance abuse to self-medicate his emotional and physical pain. John describes the excruciating physical and emotional pain he suffered during his last marriage. Despite all his troubles, he tells Catherine about how he overcame his troubles through his Christian faith.
The novel is a compelling look at the life of a war veteran and his trials and tribulations. Olds writes so simply with John narrating his life to Catherine, however, John’s life takes so many twists and turns readers will be drawn into the text. John is a flawed protagonist that has personal failings but struggles to rebuild his life as a Christian after enduring so much tragedy. He also wrote about being a veteran, husband, and father was more complicated than many people realized. However, John’s faith shines throughout the novel and the title of the book shows his belief that life will be okay.
Catherine is a quietly powerful character that may inwardly judge John at first, but outwardly expresses empathy for John as he tells harrowing tales from his life. As a social worker, she becomes a caring witness to John’s story in It Will Be Okay. Olds’ writing is simple, but effective throughout the story.
This book will resonate with readers that want to learn about the struggles of being a disabled veteran and addiction issues. It Will Be Okay would also be best for readers that have survived tumultuous marriages. Olds’ writing would also be best for religious people who have conquered negative circumstances through faith.
It Will Be Okay is a novel that will inspire readers that they can overcome any obstacle through faith and determination.
