Secrets of Ash by Josh Green; Brotherly Bond Uplifts Story of Vet With PTSD

 

Secrets of Ash by Josh Green; Brotherly Bond Uplifts Story of Vet With PTSD

By Julie Sara Porter 

Bookworm Reviews 

Spoilers: Josh Green 's Secrets of Ash is a bleak somber look at veterans with PTSD and a brotherly love that gives the book an emotional uplift.

Chase Lumpkin, a vet from Afghanistan, has left his home in Atlanta to the rural town, Cherokee. He can no longer bear the PTSD, flashbacks about a disastrous friendly fire incident, and his own struggles with his family, so he plans to take his own life. Meanwhile, his equally troubled brother, Jack, is recruited to look for him while dealing with his own personal demons as well.

This is a very dark book that specializes in getting even darker. It is a definite character study in veteran PTSD. Chase is a very disturbed individual. His flashbacks are harrowing especially when he remembers the friendly fire incident. He displays plenty of rage, remorse, and intense grief that is felt through the pages.

When he moves to Cherokee, he obviously has one thing in his mind. The book goes through the various stages in the mindset of a suicide. Chase shows detachment for the outside world and self-isolation. He gives away possessions and puts his affairs in order. 

The most sinister aspect of Chase’s character is in the certainty of his decisions exemplified by his changing moods. One of the signs is that when a suicidal person is ready for their final act is that they act fine, even jubilant. Sometimes Chase acts that way. As depraved as that thought is, he believes that his problems will soon be over.

A bright spot in this book is the bond between brothers, Chase and Jack. This isn't a “good sibling/bad sibling” dichotomy. In fact, Jack is just as messed up as Chase in many ways. Even though he is fairly well known as a radio sports commentator, Jack can't find personal happiness. 

He is a recovering alcoholic who often relapses. He hops from bed to bed with various women as though to fill a void in his life. He has a daughter that he never sees and a dysfunctional relationship with his mother. In fact, the only thing that hasn't unraveled is his relationship with Chase.

When Jack goes to look for Chase and Chase tries to carry his plan forward, they are behaving like two lost souls searching for love and support. Their childhood gave them an “us against the world” mentality and without one another, they can't function properly. In many ways, Jack just isn't trying to save Chase. He's trying to save himself.