The Good Guy List

David Joyce understood that life was a struggle. From the moment he was born—a tiny surprise behind his much larger twin—he fought hard for any gain. Patrick, on the other hand, was a gentle giant, with a natural athleticism and easy-going personality. The Good Guy List follows the Joyce twins from birth through to their early twenties (from 1946 to 1968). We see their mother struggle with depression after the tragic death of her husband just before the boys were born, the boys separated for years as their care is divided among relatives. We watch them grow, develop their own interests, skills, philosophies. We see first love, sickness, loss, work, war, and everything that makes up a life.

This is a profoundly moving book. It’s taken a while to work up to writing about it, and I still feel its effects. Every aspect of both boys’ lives are described in such detail and with such sensitivity that they became like family—I experienced their joys and their pain, their doubts and their convictions. This is not a fast read, but a beautiful one, and perfect for anyone who loves well-developed characters. Read it, consider it, and perhaps create your own “Good Guy List.”