The One Good Thing by Kevin Alan Milne
Reviewed by: Diane Soffietti, Reference and Adult Services
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults, Teens
What is the book about?: This book has been written from the perspectives of different characters from two families in present day Texas. The principal character, Nathan Steen, is in his pastor father’s fourth grade Sunday school when he meets Maddy by throwing a spit wad at her face. In the present day, Nathan now has two children, Ty and Alice with his wife Halley. Ty is a popular athletic high school student, and Alice is a diminutive junior high school brain and blogger. Alice named her blog ‘My Own Little Wonderland,’ because she is constantly bullied at school with the nickname of Alice in Wonderland. Following Nathan’s sudden accidental death, his acts of kindness toward others, as well as secrets are revealed through a dedicated Facebook page. Nathan had a habit of moving six small stones from one pocket to the other as he completed these gestures throughout the day; and he always said that one good thing can lead to another. After Nathan’s funeral, each family member reacted to the secrets and lies that are discovered through one of the Facebook’s posts from Maddy, now known as Madeline Zuckerman.
My Review: I enjoy stories that have worthwhile characters, as I have said before in my reviews. Therefore, one of my favorite books of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird. I have read (but didn’t really like) Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, and The Goldfinch. All of these were acclaimed novels that had some good qualities, but the characters were detestable in my opinion. I think all of the characters in the book, The One Good Thing are drawn true to life and affable. Nathan Steen was a well-liked man, who had his flaws yet you want him to be redeemed by his family in the end. You want Alice, Ty, and Halley to remember Nathan fondly and to pass on his legacy of unselfishly doing the right thing to help people when they need it… the one good thing.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Inspirational, heartfelt, and redeeming
Give This a Try if You Like… Barbara Delinsky’s Blueprints or While My Sister Sleeps; Donna VanLiere’s The Good Dream; Beth Hoffman’s Looking for Me; Lauraine Snelling’s Reunion
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!