The Ones You Do

In Daniel Woodrell's "The Ones You Do," we meet John X. Shade, a man adrift in the aftermath of a bitter divorce from his young wife. Returning to the familiar, yet haunting, landscape of St. Bruno, John X. is a shadow of his former self. Once a celebrated pool shark whose skill commanded respect and brought him wealth, he is now broke, battling alcoholism, and too physically compromised to even hold the cue that defined his past. His arrival in St. Bruno is not merely a homecoming; it's a desperate quest for the sons he long ago abandoned, driven by a need that runs deeper than simple reconciliation. This novel firmly cements its place on any list of Daniel Woodrell's best works due to its masterful distillation of his signature style. Woodrell's profound understanding of the American underbelly, the forgotten corners of the country where desperation and resilience collide, is on full display. He crafts characters with a raw, unvarnished authenticity, their flaws and their glimmers of humanity laid bare. "The Ones You Do" showcases his evocative prose, painting vivid pictures of place and mood that are as much characters as the people inhabiting them. The exploration of fractured family dynamics, the weight of past mistakes, and the enduring, often destructive, nature of hope resonates deeply, making it a powerful and unforgettable addition to his celebrated bibliography.