TRISKELE

In the unconscious, coincidence does not exist.

A bizarre tragedy drives ten-year-old Paul from his dysfunctional home, leaving his younger sister, Bethany, behind. Paul flees to his estranged father’s apple orchard where he discovers comfort and parenting for the first time. Two decades later, the long-lost siblings settle separately in NYC where a gifted psychoanalyst, Lillian, develops independent relationships with them as all three characters search for seemingly unattainable connection while carrying inescapable demons.

In Triskele by B. D’Amato, we experience a psychological story that takes us through generations to the research and art departments, galleries and art lecture halls of distinguished Franklin University; an idyllic upstate farm; heart-wrenching therapy sessions; a seminary and the raunchy crime and drug infested NYC streets during the early 1980’s. A kaleidoscope of settings provide symbolic backdrops for the complex, human desires of individuals struggling for emotional wholeness. The story explores the irrational behaviors people embrace and the apparently antithetical, yet underlying motives, for their actions. Rich dream material furnishes complexity and deepens perspective into the conflicts of each character’s internal world, all the while asking: where do we find grace?

Reviews

BookView Review

– BookView Review, 4.5-Star Review

“D’Amato unravels her characters’ secrets and motivations slowly, expertly increasing
the pace before the satisfying conclusion. Grounding her premise in convincing human
motivations and behavior, she balances the painful details of her protagonists’ reality
with genuine hope for new beginnings. The pacing is measured, and the story stays
grounded in authentic interpersonal dynamics… Poignant and hard-hitting.”

Midwest Book Review

– D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer

“Libraries and readers seeking powerful psychological inspections of family relationships gone awry and the process of confronting and saving them will find Triskele the compelling story of a therapist caught in the middle between her own
beliefs about what is true and the disparate experiences and perceptions of her clients.
As much as it will prove a compelling psychological revelation to individual readers, Triskele holds much food for thought and discussion for not only book club circles, but in psychological groups where
clients, therapists, and approaches to family treatment are of interest.”

Literary Titan

Triskele by B. D’Amato is a captivating novel that delves deep into the human psyche and the complexity of relationships. Readers follow the story of two siblings separated at a young age. Paul, the oldest child, is forced to take on the responsibility of his younger sister Bethany, while his single mom works nights to support the family and drinks during the day to cope with her life. When one of Paulie’s closest friends pushes the boundaries of acceptable behavior with Bethany, Paulie punches him as payback which leads to some unexpected consequences for all. Paulie escapes to their absent father’s family orchard, leaving Bethany with her troubled mother. Two decades later, the siblings find themselves settled separately in New York City, both struggling to form meaningful connections while carrying deep-seated emotional scars.

D’Amato’s writing is incredibly rich and evocative, creating a vivid and symbolic backdrop for Paul and Bethany’s struggles. The story is told through the eyes of a gifted psychoanalyst named Lillian, who develops independent relationships with both siblings as they try to navigate their internal struggles. Of the three of them, Bethany suffers the most as a result of not only losing her brother but also her mother. She is plunged into the foster care system leading her into a turbulent life of pain. The book explores irrational behaviors and seemingly opposing motives that drive individuals’ actions, delving into the human desire for emotional wholeness. I liked that the silver lining in what Paul experienced is what turned his life around in a positive direction. D’Amato expertly immerses the reader into the character’s world, from an idyllic upstate farm to the gritty crime-ridden streets of New York City.

I highly recommend Triskele by B. D’Amato to anyone looking for an enthralling read that will challenge and inspire them. This psychological fiction novel will have you pondering the intricacies of the human psyche and the power of the human spirit to heal and persevere.

Readers' Favorite

Reviewed by Keith Mbuya

Ten-year-old Paul O’Malley was beside himself with grief and guilt. It had been barely a day since his furious confrontation with his longtime friend Jackie. And now Jackie was dead. Paul only wanted to avenge his five-year-old sister Bethany after finding out what Jackie had done to her. After the incident, Paul’s absentee mother Angela forces him to leave home in White Plains. Paul finds himself in Oswego searching for his deadbeat and estranged dad. On the other hand, Angela falls ill shortly after Paul leaves. With no one to look after her, Bethany is put into foster care. What will happen to Paul and Bethany? Get yourself B. D’Amato’s Triskele to discover more.

B. D’Amato’s Triskele is a must-read for lovers of psychological novels with a touch of drama, wit, and romance. D’Amato has devised an intriguing plot, anchoring the storyline in a compelling tale of abandonment, abuse, agony, trauma, manipulation, religion, love, sex, art, and secrets. The depictions of the scenes were so vivid that the reading experience felt like watching a movie. The qualities of the cast were expertly revealed, with their emotions being depicted clearly and candidly. D’Amato gives readers a glimpse into the world of a kid living in a dysfunctional family. Bethany’s experiences while living with foster care families brought me to tears. They were so painful and I felt enraged that an adorable, brilliant, and innocent girl full of life like her had to go through all that agony.