Until It Was Gone By David B. Seaburn Book Review

“Until It Was Gone” is a contemporary novel by David B. Seaburn. The story is about a family struggling to manage their lives amidst the challenges of modern society. Will the family manage to scale through?

Spoiler-Free Plot

Laney unexpectedly reveals to Franklin that she wants to end their forty-year marriage, which leaves him very upset. She calmly explains that she believes forty years is long enough and that she wants to find happiness for herself, which she doesn’t think she can find in their relationship. Even though Franklin begs her to change her mind and tries to convince her otherwise, Laney stays firm in her decision. Franklin has a hard time understanding Laney’s decision and has to cope with the physical and emotional effects of her decision to leave.

Laney goes on a journey to Oklahoma to search for her and Franklin’s daughter, Roz. When Laney gets there, things are a bit tense. Roz is definitely not happy about the unexpected visit. Even though they haven’t been close, Laney attempts to build a new bond with her granddaughter, Maggie, who is working at a nearby motel. At first, Maggie is unsure about Laney, but she starts to feel a little warmer when she finds out who Laney is.

Gretchen, who is Franklin’s sister, is frustrated because she has to look after him and his health is getting worse. She thinks about how Franklin and his wife, Laney, didn’t get along well. After Laney left, Franklin’s health got even worse, and he started to feel very alone, often confused and not clear-minded. Even though he sometimes has moments when he understands things clearly, the back-and-forth between being clear-minded and confused is very hard for both him and Gretchen. Gretchen feels worried because she can’t predict how Franklin will be.

When Maggie finds out she’s going to have a baby, tragedy strikes. Maggie has to have an operation, but in the place where she lives, this operation is seen as an abortion. This puts her in a difficult position, as the surgery may be necessary to prevent further health issues, but its legality is uncertain. Maggie’s need for the surgery takes her and her family on a new path, but is it what she seeks? Is the family prepared for the new path ahead? Will the family come together stronger or be separated forever?

My take on Until It Was Gone

“Until it was gone” is the perfect novel for contemporary novel lovers. The novel has all the thrills, chills, and adventure to keep you on the edge of your seat. It revolves around forgiveness, memories, hope, and reunion.

The book explores themes of family, personal growth,  and the difficult parts of relationships during important moments in life. The author carefully exposes the feelings of the characters and shows how they handle their connected lives during challenges, changes, and the passage of time.

The story shows how family relationships change over time. It features Maggie’s struggles with her operation and how different family members react. The novel emphasizes on the fact that family support can make someone stronger and also lead them to think about themselves more. As each person faces their own problems, the story shows how strong and enduring their family ties are.

The characters’ experiences are shown with care and detail. This gives a strong view of how personal challenges and family connections affect each other. The dialogue between the characters will help readers understand each character’s personality in the novel clearly.

Maggie’s struggles with her mom, Roz, is an aspect of the novel that is interesting. She feels trapped in a dull life at a motel in a tiny town in Oklahoma. She was once a rebellious teen, who later turned out to be sad about her job and the choices she has made. Her mom constantly criticizes her decisions, which makes their relationship strained. Maggie feels like she cannot breathe because of her mom’s high hopes and her own feeling of not getting anywhere. The only person who gives her a break is her grandma, Laney, who brings her some comfort. With every step taken, the family experiences different challenges.

Gretchen and Franklin travel to Erie, Pennsylvania for the court hearing where the man responsible for Gretchen’s husband’s death will be punished. This was a difficult moment for Gretchen, who felt very emotional about confronting her past. Franklin’s unwavering commitment to his sister, despite his ongoing fatigue and the enduring impact of Covid, serves as a clear testament to the importance of family support, as highlighted by author David Seaburn.

I highly recommend everyone to read this book, especially those struggling with familial challenges. The novel is worth your time.

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