Book Review for The Roots Run Deep by Chris Strong

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

The Roots Run Deep, by Chris Strong, is a bittersweet, psychological drama about learning to treasure life despite the mental agony life throws at you. West, Izzy, Buddy, Sean, and June are childhood friends who promise each other they will one day go to Mt. Hood. As responsibilities overtake their childhood, with adulthood twisting them into the bleak realization that innocence won’t last forever, Izzy is consumed by his inner demons. When the group learns of his suicide attempt, they decide to make due on their promise and show Izzy that there are things worth living for, even if they might not believe it themselves.

I love how close everyone is, even after they’ve gone and grown up. My husband was a military brat, and he’d never been able to motivate himself to have relationships outside of his family until he hit Texas. I’m guilty of letting friendships die; if you’re not physically near me, you might as well not exist. So I appreciate the way Sean reached out to everyone. It’s the same with Buddy and June; they’re largely successful in their own way, and even though the loneliness was barreling down at them, they refused to give in. They kept moving forward. They chose to be connected to people. It was even reflected in the professions they’ve taken.

The same can’t be said for Izzy and West. I feel that by the time West decided to go on his vacation, he was probably headed down the same path Izzy was. It might not be to the same extent, but he was isolated. Shame haunted him, and even though he tried to play the clown, he was clearly hurting just as much as Izzy was. I like how open-ended Strong made West’s ending; he might not know what his purpose is, but he is able to move forward. He is relatable in a way that stings, but he also shows that even if you’re stalling, life goes on. The world will continue spinning with or without you. Whether or not you decide to join the bandwagon is up to you. 

Strong deals with grief in this book in a way that respects the characters and the readers. As a child, the world is in the palm of your hands. Sometimes you’re so overconfident that you dive headfirst without understanding what you’ve signed up for. Other times, you’re desperate for some path, any path, and you decide to follow the one your parents have handed to you. And even still, there are times you’re lost, and confused about everyone and everything around you. You don’t know who you are, don’t know who to trust, and life is threatening to take you under. I don’t think people realize the amount of pain that older folks go through and the regrets that they have. Would they have done something different when they were younger? Do they wish to go back to a time when things were more simple? I’m not sure. My husband does a lot. Regardless, it’s a grief that every adult goes through. I guess that is why you need loved ones to keep you grounded, a community you can call your own. It prevents you from getting swept away. 

And not to spoil anything, but I find it ironic that the person closest to death is the one that has the most life to live. 

I enjoyed this book, and as such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.