The Rundown
The Six Train To Wisconsin is a unique book which successfully crosses into several genres. The plot revolves around the two main characters Kai and Oliver. Through first person narrative, they take it in turns to tell their story, which begins in Manhatten. Kai and Oliver are a married couple with some unique problems. Kai is a telepath, whose absorption of the thoughts and feelings of others has pushed her to the brink of suicide more than once. Oliver is determined to save her but keeps his own painful past off the radar.
Fearing he will lose his wife to suicide, Oliver hatches a plan, which involves drugging and kidnapping her and moving them back to his home town of Butternut, Wisconsin. At first, when she realises what he has done, she is filled with rage and cannot stand her new rural surroundings. Oliver convinces her to give it three months and she agrees.
But coming home is not going to be easy for Oliver either. He is bringing his wife back to the community he turned his back on, and to the memories of his broken relationship with his father. In returning home, he is forced to face his family, his past, and a secret that may very well blow a small community apart.
As for Kai, she slowly begins to adjust to life in Butternut, but is also consumed with jealousy when it seems Oliver’s old flame is still interested in him. This book really does have something for everyone. In many ways, it’s a romance, albeit a unique and unconventional one and one that certainly held the attention of this reviewer. I loved how the narrative was split between the husband and wife and felt the author did a tremendous job of making the reader care and empathize with both of them. There are moments of humor, frustration, and sadness. Despite their unusual predicament, in many ways, Oliver and Kai represent the everyday struggles of married couples.
The book also has a supernatural or magical realism theme to it. Kai can hear thoughts and absorb feelings, while her brother Caleb is able to walk into people’s dreams. When Oliver’s ex-girlfriend’s son Lucas goes missing, the book strides into thriller territory with great confidence and ease. Kai has been picking up dark vibes, and as the book hurtles towards an explosive and emotional climax, Oliver must beat the clock in order to save her life whilst also confronting the secrets of his past.
Romance, magic realism, thriller and mystery. And it works. This book held me from start to finish. It was understated and really quite glorious. Highly recommended.
The Recommendation
A unique book which successfully crosses into several genres. The plot revolves around the two main characters Kai and Oliver, a married couple with some unusual problems. Kai is a telepath, whose absorption of the thoughts and feelings of others has pushed her to the brink of suicide. Oliver is determined to save her but keeps his own painful past off the radar. Oliver takes Kai back to his home town of Butternut, Wisconsin in order to save her, but in doing so, he is forced to confront his painful past and secrets which could blow the entire community apart. Romance, magic realism, thriller and mystery. And it works. This book held me from start to finish. It was understated and really quite glorious. Highly recommended.