Description
In the 1970s, when a distant cousin dies unexpectedly, Mary Ellen and Charles Hawley agree to take his seven-year-old son Steven into their home. Steven’s birth mother, a Polish immigrant, has schizophrenia and can’t assume custody. But in a last traumatic visit, she convinces her son that a mysterious presence called the bicycle messenger has followed him into his new life.
Years later, Steven, a recovering alcoholic with a history of bipolar disorder, is working as a short-order cook. To Megan Helmsworth, a college student waiting tables, he is a sweet, doting boyfriend. But Steven becomes more and more preoccupied with his lost family of origin, and when a manic swing sends him on a quixotic journey to Poland, Megan seizes her chance to escape. In a well-meaning attempt to shelter her fragile son, Mary Ellen agrees to harbor a secret no mother should ever keep.
Told through the eyes of the three women who love Steven best—Mary Ellen, Megan, and his adoptive sister Margaret—The Bicycle Messenger is a story of generational trauma that stretches from the last days of the Kraków ghetto in 1942 all the way to 2016. But it is also a story of unexpected grace.
joanne –
This story of generational trauma and grace is an interesting “dive” into mental illness and its legacy, with well- developed characters and an engaging storyline – though it did drag at times. Stephen’s character was especially complex, and the telling of his story from three different viewpoints (his mother Mary Ellen, his sister Margaret, and his girlfriend Megan) was inventive and creative. Overall a good read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Maggie Rosario –
Joan Elizabeth Bauer displays a great understanding of the human condition, a deep sense of God’s providential hand guiding life, and a knack for well-paced storytelling in her newly released novel, The Bicycle Messenger. The novel was a quick, engaging read that left me wanting more, but there is a depth to it that will merit a reread at a later date.
While The Bicycle Messenger would not naturally fit into the “historical fiction” genre, it beautifully weaves together events from history into years closer to our own modern day. I enjoy a story with a broad enough view to understand the relationship between past and present, and Bauer has done an exceptional job with Steven Hawley’s story in her novel. She presents believable plots both for the mysterious past, set in Nazi-occupied Poland, and the drama-filled, present-day USA. The link between the two is strong and realistic enough to warrant a sense of satisfaction with the story when all is revealed. Best of all, God’s presence throughout both stories is piercingly beautiful, though not in a “happily-ever-after” sense.
Another wonderful aspect of Bauer’s storytelling is the interweaving of various perspectives and voices weighing in on Steven’s life. Yes, the catalyst for all events and drama in the novel is psychologically troubled Steven Hawley, but the story is most completely told through people who love him. The multiplicity of perspective proves Bauer’s skill in understanding the human condition, and in crafting a good novel!
I would highly recommend this novel for readers, Christian or otherwise!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel so that I could read and provide my honest review. All opinions and views expressed are my own.
Kathryn Bochman –
So many words come to mind when I think of The Bicycle Messenger – touching, deeply emotional, tragic, and haunting. This multi-generational story, spanning from WWII Poland to present time America, in essence, was a fight for truth.
Joan Elizabeth Bauer expertly wove a tale of discovery, as the turmoil of mental illness and a family mystery dodged the steps of three different women and one man through the decades. I found Bauer’s writing style to be easy to read and thoughtful, making an impression as the story unraveled. With strong elements of faith and a hope that could not be denied, The Bicycle Messenger is a poignant tale I will not soon forget.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.