What do you think?
Rate this book
Intersections: A Novel of Family, Fate, and the Quiet Forces That Shape Us
Three generations. One hidden truth. A life forever changed.
Growing up in the river town of Huntington, West Virginia, Gene McLeod believes he understands the story he was born into—its hardships, its loyalties, its silences. But when a late life discovery upends everything he thought he knew about his family, he is forced to reexamine the past with new eyes.
Intersections unfolds as a mosaic of lives shaped by work, love, loss, and the quiet forces that bind one generation to the next. Spanning decades, it becomes a meditation on fate, inheritance, and the enduring human search for belonging.
Written with restrained prose and deep emotional clarity, Gene McLeod reveals how the truths we uncover—about our families, our origins, and ourselves—can break us open and remake us in equal measure.
Growing up in the river town of Huntington, West Virginia, Gene McLeod believes he understands the story he was born into—its hardships, its loyalties, its silences. But when a late life discovery upends everything he thought he knew about his family, he is forced to reexamine the past with new eyes.
Intersections unfolds as a mosaic of lives shaped by work, love, loss, and the quiet forces that bind one generation to the next. Spanning decades, it becomes a meditation on fate, inheritance, and the enduring human search for belonging.
Written with restrained prose and deep emotional clarity, Gene McLeod reveals how the truths we uncover—about our families, our origins, and ourselves—can break us open and remake us in equal measure.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 26, 2023
This book is FULL of info! It goes down many pathways which end up intersecting, just like the title conveniently says. While perspectives and setting change often among chapters, I was never left feeling disoriented. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say book stirred up a lot of reflection within me, which I loved.
January 20, 2024
One of the best books that I have read for a long time. I couldn’t put it down. I do not personally know the author and only found out about the book from a Facebook post. So happy I saw that post and decided to order the book. Gene McLeod does a great job of weaving the stories of different families into one story. I love how he was able to bring to life the history of the city of Huntington during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. As a Huntington native, I could relate to the story in many ways. It is not often that I find a book the keeps my attention like this one did. I plan to recommend the book to everyone I know.
April 15, 2024
A very compelling, un-putdown-able story about a couple of people we knew. Being told from the beginning that there was a stunning twist, I thought the Janet Ferguson who resigned her job at the Federal Reserve because of sexual harassment by Dr. Mark Williams was going to end up being revealed to be Janet Yellen. This would have been a great story of triumph over mistreatment and lack of power, a positive outcome worthy of a smack in the face to Williams.
The actual twist was very bittersweet, imagining the pain in the lives of those involved was difficult.
I am saddened to think of the course Huntington has had; sixty years ago, there were many manufacturing jobs that paid sustainable wages. Housing was not luxurious, by any means, but I can look at the areas where many of the school leaders grew up, never knowing they might now be deemed “lower income” neighborhoods. Now many of those areas have become rental properties and it is obvious there is little pride in maintaining an appearance of neatness; when the properties were owned by those who lived there, the owners may not have always been able to keep them maintained in perfect condition, but they worked hard at keeping them as presentable as they could.
Remaining in Huntington my entire life, I am regularly reminded of a happy past that has fallen victim to changes brought about by decreased population, questionable decisions, and actions taken with the thought that progress is being made. For example, when I drive by the field where Olympic Pool existed, I think of the happy hours spent there, swimming lessons, frozen Zero bars, a blend of many neighborhoods in attendance. Huntington is still a beautiful city, though ravaged by drug abuse and a plethora of recovery support systems; a decrease in population due to loss of manufacturers and employers such as Owens Illinois, ACF, Corbin, Houdaille, soft drink bottling plants, and C & O Railroad; the demise of much of the downtown shopping area when the mall was constructed (as has happened nationwide).
If you grew up in Huntington or still live here, you will recognize much of the area described in this book.
The actual twist was very bittersweet, imagining the pain in the lives of those involved was difficult.
I am saddened to think of the course Huntington has had; sixty years ago, there were many manufacturing jobs that paid sustainable wages. Housing was not luxurious, by any means, but I can look at the areas where many of the school leaders grew up, never knowing they might now be deemed “lower income” neighborhoods. Now many of those areas have become rental properties and it is obvious there is little pride in maintaining an appearance of neatness; when the properties were owned by those who lived there, the owners may not have always been able to keep them maintained in perfect condition, but they worked hard at keeping them as presentable as they could.
Remaining in Huntington my entire life, I am regularly reminded of a happy past that has fallen victim to changes brought about by decreased population, questionable decisions, and actions taken with the thought that progress is being made. For example, when I drive by the field where Olympic Pool existed, I think of the happy hours spent there, swimming lessons, frozen Zero bars, a blend of many neighborhoods in attendance. Huntington is still a beautiful city, though ravaged by drug abuse and a plethora of recovery support systems; a decrease in population due to loss of manufacturers and employers such as Owens Illinois, ACF, Corbin, Houdaille, soft drink bottling plants, and C & O Railroad; the demise of much of the downtown shopping area when the mall was constructed (as has happened nationwide).
If you grew up in Huntington or still live here, you will recognize much of the area described in this book.
January 1, 2024
Excellent book, you will enjoy!
I truly enjoyed reading this book, it was hard to put down. It definitely tugs at your heartstrings. The ending was excellent, it really is an incredible story!
I truly enjoyed reading this book, it was hard to put down. It definitely tugs at your heartstrings. The ending was excellent, it really is an incredible story!
December 7, 2023
This story is primarily about one family's journey with incredible twists and turns. But it's also about US and West Virginia society in the decades from the 60s through current day. It's this historical and social context that give the story weight.
November 15, 2023
This story winds through the humble upbringing of the main character in West Virginia, an area I know little about. This upbringing is then mixed with national news and time cuts from various periods to provide a thrilling ending that is unexpected, but worth the wait!
Want to Read
April 13, 2026This is Gene, the author of Intersections - A Novel of Family, Fate, and the Quiet Forces That Shape Us. This is a note to those considering Intersections for their next read.
Intersections will be enjoyed by anyone who loves upmarket fiction, literary family saga, Appalachian literary fiction, inspirational stories, and DNA surprise novels.
Intersections is a distinctive indie upmarket literary novel, and these are the qualities that make it stand apart:
• Based on a mind‑blowing true story - a story that wasn’t shaped in workshops or engineered for effect but discovered and told as it happened.
• A one‑and‑done novel - the author (me) had a story he had no choice but to write. No brand, no career agenda, no series. Just one important story told with care.
• A Christopher Nolan–style structure with a hinge and dual narrative flows that reveal meaning over time.
• Sug offers a rare, deeply authentic portrait of a mid‑century working‑class Appalachian man - a character type almost never illuminated in upmarket fiction.
• Jane expands the lineage of Elizabeth Strout’s emotionally complex mid‑century mothers with depression, without imitation.
BTW - the tagline for Intersections is "Where Appalachia meets Elizabeth Strout and Christopher Nolan".
• Emotional restraint and linguistic simplicity - the novel’s voice is quiet, clear, and unsentimental.
• Place as character - Huntington, West Virginia shapes every life in the story and becomes part of the emotional architecture. The book cover artwork features a street map of Huntington in the background.
• Nonfiction scaffolding in the spirit of Candice Millard and Erik Larson gives the novel its sense of emotional truth.
• Accidental literary quality - the book became literary not by design, but because the truth of the material demanded a certain clarity, structure, and emotional honesty.
Thanks for the consideration. I hope you read and enjoy it - and if you do, please leave a rating and review!
Intersections will be enjoyed by anyone who loves upmarket fiction, literary family saga, Appalachian literary fiction, inspirational stories, and DNA surprise novels.
Intersections is a distinctive indie upmarket literary novel, and these are the qualities that make it stand apart:
• Based on a mind‑blowing true story - a story that wasn’t shaped in workshops or engineered for effect but discovered and told as it happened.
• A one‑and‑done novel - the author (me) had a story he had no choice but to write. No brand, no career agenda, no series. Just one important story told with care.
• A Christopher Nolan–style structure with a hinge and dual narrative flows that reveal meaning over time.
• Sug offers a rare, deeply authentic portrait of a mid‑century working‑class Appalachian man - a character type almost never illuminated in upmarket fiction.
• Jane expands the lineage of Elizabeth Strout’s emotionally complex mid‑century mothers with depression, without imitation.
BTW - the tagline for Intersections is "Where Appalachia meets Elizabeth Strout and Christopher Nolan".
• Emotional restraint and linguistic simplicity - the novel’s voice is quiet, clear, and unsentimental.
• Place as character - Huntington, West Virginia shapes every life in the story and becomes part of the emotional architecture. The book cover artwork features a street map of Huntington in the background.
• Nonfiction scaffolding in the spirit of Candice Millard and Erik Larson gives the novel its sense of emotional truth.
• Accidental literary quality - the book became literary not by design, but because the truth of the material demanded a certain clarity, structure, and emotional honesty.
Thanks for the consideration. I hope you read and enjoy it - and if you do, please leave a rating and review!
May 29, 2024
I couldn’t put this well-written book down! I loved this story of family, flawed humans like us all, who with love work through the tough times to a place of forgiveness and acceptance. I met Gene, the author, during a pivotal point in the story. I had no idea at the time he was experiencing trials at home, proof none of us ever know what another is going through on any given day. He could have reacted so differently to the revelations of the last few years, but I’m so thankful he instead shared his experiences so beautifully via Intersections. Thank you for a beautiful family story, Gene, and the nostalgic trip down memory lane through Huntington, WV in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
November 12, 2023
Intersections is a remarkable story of a family secret kept hidden for many decades. It takes you through a winding path of unexpected twists and turns and builds to satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought provoking, highly entertaining read.
May 9, 2024
I just finished reading Intersections, by Gene McLeod, and loved it.
Full disclosure. I actually worked with Gene, and I remember him as an excellent program manager who also understood the technical and engineering challenges of his projects as well or better than most of his engineering team members. He was always fun to work with, and a great person to go hang out with over a couple beers.
That being disclosed, this was a truly excellent book. I loved the rags to riches story of a disciplined and driven young man working and studying his way to scholarships and academic achievements, all while being stuck in the middle of a difficult living environment. I admire the fact that he made it through to success while never forgetting where he came from, and while continuing to be there for his family.
If Gene’s story was only a classic tale about self-improvement and achievement, it would be worth reading. I knew little bits and pieces of his story from conversations with Gene and others, and I always admired him for what he had accomplished.
If the story was only about comparing brothers taking separate paths in life, it would be worth reading. I came from a similar background and found myself comparing the choices Gene and his brother Curtis made to my own life.
But the story isn’t only about either of those things. There’s an unbelievable twist that I didn’t know anything about and didn’t see coming, and that twist totally blew me away!
Five stars!
Full disclosure. I actually worked with Gene, and I remember him as an excellent program manager who also understood the technical and engineering challenges of his projects as well or better than most of his engineering team members. He was always fun to work with, and a great person to go hang out with over a couple beers.
That being disclosed, this was a truly excellent book. I loved the rags to riches story of a disciplined and driven young man working and studying his way to scholarships and academic achievements, all while being stuck in the middle of a difficult living environment. I admire the fact that he made it through to success while never forgetting where he came from, and while continuing to be there for his family.
If Gene’s story was only a classic tale about self-improvement and achievement, it would be worth reading. I knew little bits and pieces of his story from conversations with Gene and others, and I always admired him for what he had accomplished.
If the story was only about comparing brothers taking separate paths in life, it would be worth reading. I came from a similar background and found myself comparing the choices Gene and his brother Curtis made to my own life.
But the story isn’t only about either of those things. There’s an unbelievable twist that I didn’t know anything about and didn’t see coming, and that twist totally blew me away!
Five stars!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews