Atticus

ATTICUS

by Ron Hansen

 

Nominations: Dublin Longlist 1998, National Book Finalist 1996, PEN/Faulkner Finalist 1997

 

Date Read: July 25, 2021

 

Atticus is essentially the story of a father’s boundless ability to forgive his wayward son. It’s a modern-day rework of the biblical Prodigal Son and just as heart-warming. While some see emotional manipulation, I see an ideal to strive for – that of never reaching a limit to how much we can love our children.

 

Atticus is the father of two sons, Frank and Scott. While Frank moves effortlessly through life and hits all the milestones one would expect, Scott is a completely different animal. Scott is an artist with an artist’s approach to the world. While on the one hand he experiences and explores beauty, on the other he fights the demons in his head. His mental illness is treated through a hospital stay and medication but Scott is not always consistent with his medication.

 

Atticus is a good father, loving both his sons and doing his best by both of them. One of his flaws is holding his emotional cards a little too close to his chest. While he isn’t overt in his loving sentiments, both sons know how to read their dad and know that they are both loved dearly.

 

During a brief return home from college, Scott killed his mother, Serena, and is absolutely bereft at her funeral. During the funeral, Atticus and Scott’s fingers accidentally brush each other and now that Scott is dead, Atticus will never forgive himself for sliding his hand away. This is only one instance in which Atticus could have created connection but failed to do so.

 

In spite of his son killing his beloved wife, Atticus doesn’t hold it against him and there is no lingering essence of disdain or blame. A quiet beauty permeates this novel, particularly around Scott trying to find himself and his purpose. When he describes his time with the Mayans and how they mysteriously halt in the forest before approaching the sea, they explain that they are waiting for their spirits to catch up. Gorgeous.

 

Atticus is summoned to Mexico when he learns his son Scott has committed suicide. When he arrives, from the very beginning he can see that everything is just off. Not long into his arrival, he has enough evidence to support his theory that Scott was murdered. After meeting multiple shady people that occupied Scott’s time, he actually finds his son alive and well, living in the basement of a church.

 

Scott had become involved in an ever increasing shit-storm that all began with the accidental killing of a pedestrian while Scott was driving. After two more people are killed, Scott determines his only option is to disappear. His father finding him was both a relief and a defeat.

 

The beauty for me lies in Scott asking his father if he can ever forgive him. And of course, Atticus can and does. As a father, his love and patience with his son is boundless. While I strive to offer the same patience and love to my son, some days I fall short of this measure. But this novel brought home the beauty in the pain and the love that can still exist among the forsaken.