The first word of I REFUSE, “Dark,” describes the book’s tenor from start to finish. It begins in the dark, when Jim is driving toward the bridge where he fishes. On this day in September 2006, his childhood friend Tommy happens by in his gray Mercedes --- a chance meeting that takes them back in memory to 35 years before.

Tommy lived with his three sisters and an abusive father. His mother fled a couple of years before. Everyone in town knew about Tommy’s father, but did nothing. One day, Tommy finally had enough. And Jim stuck by his friend. When the cruelty inside that house finally pushed Tommy to the breaking point, the family splintered and the children were sent to different homes. Tommy caught some good luck, though, for he remained close to Jim. An abiding friendship can be more valuable than family, and he always found lasting comfort in Jim. Tommy tried to keep in touch with Siri, the sister with whom he had the most binding relationship, but the distance and the separation made it hard. 

"[The characters] totally drive the story, which is a powerful, albeit bleak, one trying to show how fragile is the human psyche and how essential to general well-being is the bond of friendship."

Chapters bounce among Tommy’s, Jim’s and Siri’s viewpoints, and between their childhood years and 2006. Eventually, Tommy and Siri turned in different directions, but there was never any doubt that they were survivors. Despite no father at home, childhood life was easier for Jim. His hardships came later, after one defining night when he and Tommy were out late, skating on the ice. Just one panicked second changed their friendship --- indeed their lives --- forever. Thereafter, Jim pushed away from his oldest and most loyal friend. He began a descent into mental despair and held himself apart from other people, unable to hold a job or even find any glimmer of hope in his future. Tommy, meanwhile, seemed to be wildly successful, yet ever wishing for a return to the way things had once been between Jim and himself. Is it possible they can?

The writing style, which tends toward stream of consciousness, sometimes can be challenging and distracting. However, the characters are intriguing and fully formed. They totally drive the story, which is a powerful, albeit bleak, one trying to show how fragile is the human psyche and how essential to general well-being is the bond of friendship.

The ending, though…well, everyone will have to decide for themselves what they think of it. Personally, I was left a bit mystified, if not simply dissatisfied. After all of the angst and struggle, I yearned for a strong, decisive conclusion, which did not come. And in no way should you expect to finish the book and go away uplifted and happy. As I mentioned at the beginning, it is dark. You won’t find many smiles or feel-good moments. But along the way, there are gems of startling wisdom and passages of superb insight that may stay with you long after you close the book for the last time.

Per Petterson has taken a far different journey in I REFUSE than he did with OUT STEALING HORSES. Fans of his earlier hit novel may have to adjust some expectations with this one.