Richard Schotts' new novel gives an inside view of a proud Polish family and their environment, circa 1949, to show that the effects of the mentally challenged are absorbed not only by the person affected, but the entire family. The powerfully drawn characters reach out and carry us with them on their roller coaster ride through life.
Experience their vulnerability as some bend and others break. A broad-brush picture of society is truthfully painted about our lack of interest in the problems of others- even those we know as friends. The heartbreak and pain sustained by the family and Johnny himself, seems unrelenting until Andre, a selfish, angry young artist, who long ago received the encouragement he needed to make a conscious decision to pursue his career dreams from Johnny's father, comes back into the area and unknowingly meets Johnny. When Andre realizes that the Johnny he knows, is the child that was supposed to be the fulfillment of his fathers dream --is mentally challenged, he is frustrated and disappointed, yet remotely more tolerant. Andre eventually, through Johnny, learns true compassion and love, and in his actions with Johnny creates a light for hope and a sustaining power for others to cling to, based on the witnessing of their association together.
