Dunne, Catherine: *1954

The Things We Know Now, 2013 - Before Reading

Before you read the book it helps to go in with a bit of context—not spoilers, just the kind of background that makes the story more affecting.
- 1. It’s emotionally intense (not a light read)
  The novel deals heavily with grief, trauma, and recovery. It opens with a devastating loss, and much of the story follows how that loss ripples through a family. Expect something reflective rather than plot-driven.
- 2. Focus is on family dynamics
  At its core, this is about:
  - A father trying to cope
  - daughter growing up in the shadow of tragedy
  The emotional tension comes from how people process pain differently, especially within a family.
- 3. Strong coming-of-age element
  Even though it’s about loss, it’s also a coming-of-age story. You’ll see:
  - A young girl navigating identity and memory
  - The long-term impact of childhood experiences on adulthood
- 4. Dual timelines / reflection
  The narrative shifts between past and present, so:
  - Pay attention to how memories are revealed gradually
  - The structure is meant to mirror how people process trauma over time
- 5. Subtle, psychological storytelling
  Dunne’s style is:
  - Quiet and introspective
  - Focused more on internal states than external action: Instead of showing long, dramatic breakdowns, Dunne might follow a character noticing small, everyday things.
  Example: A father isn’t shown crying or shouting—instead, he might sit in silence and think about something trivial (like a cup, a room, a routine). The emotion is in the reflection, not the action.
  A lot is implied rather than spelled out, so reading between the lines matters:
  Example: "He asks if she’s finished her homework. She nods without looking up. “Good,” he says. “That’s good.” He stands in the doorway a moment longer than necessary, then turns off the light in the hall and goes downstairs." What you’re meant to read between the lines is that nothing dramatic is said—but a lot is going on:
  - Emotional distance → She doesn’t look at him
  - Awkwardness / disconnection → He lingers but doesn’t know what to say
  - Unspoken grief or tension → The silence carries weight
  - Failed attempt at connection → Asking about homework is just a safe, surface-level question
  The author doesn't write: “They felt distant and didn’t know how to talk after what happened.”
- 6. Themes to keep in mind
  Knowing these beforehand helps you pick up nuances:
  - Memory and its unreliability
  - Silence vs. communication
  - Emotional inheritance (how pain passes through generations)
  - Healing and resilience