Community Bookstop

Middle-aged brothers Jason and Tom Prendergast thought they were completely done with each other. Perceived betrayal had burned the bridge between them, tossing them into the icy river of estrangement. But life and death has a robust sense of irony, and when they learn that their cruel father has died and made his final request that they travel together across the country to spread his ashes, they have no choice but to spend a long, long car trip in each other s company. It s either that or lose out on the contents of the envelope he s left with his lawyer. The trip will be as gut-wrenching as each expects it to be . . . and revealing in ways neither of them is prepared for.

At turns humorous, biting, poignant, and surprisingly tender, ASHES puts a new spin on family and dysfunction with a story that is at once fresh and timelessly universal."

My Thoughts: 

This book follows brothers Jason and Tom who have suffered a very hard childhood with a dysfunctional father who has mentally and physically worn them down.  When they find out Stu their dad has died they head to the reading of the will.  This seems to be where Stu is getting the last laugh sending them on a driving trip across the country to scatter his ashes.  Will they survive the trip?  

I really enjoyed learning about Tom and Jason and the paths their lives have gone down and how they dealt with their childhood, and their estranged father.  I loved watching the brothers try to connect with each other in their own way.  It also showed the type of men these boys became due to their father.  

This is a great story for anyone who looking for a book that really has depth to it.  Definitely up there with some great writers out there Mr. Manchester offers so much when he writes his books and how he continues to come up with more and more!  Can't wait to see what he's offering next!