Alice McDermott’s Absolution is acclaimed for its poignant exploration of human frailty and moral complexities. Readers praise its evocative prose and well-developed characters. However, some critique its slow pacing. Overall, the book is lauded for its reflective depth, though it may not satisfy those seeking a fast-moving plot.

A reader who enjoys exploring profound themes of morality, redemption, and forgiveness in literary fiction would be captivated by Alice McDermott’s Absolution. Fans of Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead and Kent Haruf’s Plainsong would find similar emotional depth and character-driven storytelling.

In Absolution by Alice McDermott, elderly Tricia reflects on her experiences as a young military wife in Saigon during the Vietnam War. Through her friendship with the ambitious and compassionate Charlene, Tricia becomes involved in numerous charitable activities amid a backdrop of political unrest and personal struggles with motherhood. Contains depictions of sexism, racism, wartime violence, and discussions of miscarriage and infant loss.

Contemplative / Melancholic / Emotional / Bittersweet

**Patricia “Tricia” Kelly**  
The protagonist and primary narrator, Tricia is an intelligent yet naive young woman living in 1963 Saigon with her husband Peter. Her story involves navigating her relationships, including her evolving friendship with Charlene.

**Charlene**  
Tricia’s close friend and the deuteragonist, Charlene is a smart and beautiful woman who is outspoken and heavily involved in philanthropy. Her actions and presence significantly impact Tricia's life and the narrative.

**Peter Kelly**  
Tricia’s husband, a civilian advisor for the CIA, whose perspectives help explore the gender dynamics of 1960s marriages and the political landscape in Vietnam. His relationship with Tricia is marked by love, though complicated by societal norms.

**Rainey**  
Charlene’s daughter and the secondary narrator, Rainey begins as a young child in the narrative and later offers adult reflections on her mother and past events through correspondence with Tricia.

**Dominic “Dom” Carey**  
A friend to Tricia and Charlene in Saigon, notable for his empathy and involvement in their charitable activities. Later in life, he becomes a family-oriented father, deeply connected to his son Jamie.

**Stella Carney**  
Tricia’s best friend from university, known for her outspoken nature and dedication to activism. Stella serves as a foil to Tricia's more reserved nature.

**Ly/“Lily”**  
A Vietnamese seamstress working as a domestic servant for an American expat, whose craftsmanship inadvertently sets off significant events in the novel. Her name and role highlight the power dynamics between American expatriates and local Vietnamese individuals.

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