Ribbon of Dreams

A heartfelt coming-of-age novel set in 1970s Tennessee, Ribbon of Dreams explores identity, family, and hope as a young man faces love, loss, and change in a divided America.

Ribbon of Dreams is a coming-of-age story set in the rural American South as soldiers return from the Vietnam War, dealing with PTSD, grief, and African Americans strive for social justice.

In the spring of 1975, a teenager nicknamed Skid nears high school graduation in a small town in Tennessee. But as he prepares for the next chapter of his life, he begins to question the path laid out for him by his family and community.

Skid dreams of leaving his small town, but his widowed stepfather expects him to take over the family business of restoring vintage cars. With tensions rising between them, Skid struggles to find his identity after being swept up in a protest by African American students.

As he navigates the challenges of young adulthood, Skid discovers a passion for screenwriting and begins to see his town in a new light. Through his talent, he captures the beauty and complexity of rural America, from the rolling fields of corn to the worn faces of the town's residents.

But as Skid prepares to leave for college, a tragedy strikes his community, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of life and the fragility of his dreams. In the aftermath, he must choose whether to stay and help rebuild his life or forge ahead on his path.

Set against the background of a violently evolving America, Ribbon of Dreams explores the power of friendship, the influence of memory, community, and self-discovery.

From the author of the critically acclaimed novels Gettysburg by Morning and The Farm, O'Brien's latest novel transports readers to an America torn by years of political and social strife, family upheaval, and heartbreaking sorrow.