Sifting Through Static by Ben Tyler Elliott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This remarkable novel recounts the childhood from hell through the eyes of three older, estranged brothers. It is presented in the form of an amorphous bundle of letters, audiotapes, and interviews that have been preserved. The story is a collection of emotionally draining yet at times uplifting anecdotes. We learn how many ways there are to hurt one another, most notably those we love the most, and how to hurt ourselves. The short description suggests this is a mystery, but don’t be misled. Indeed, Harriet, the sister who’s not a sister, goes missing, but that’s not what this book is about. It’s about pain and healing.