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The Life We Bury, Allan Eskins 25%

Great start

Main character is son of alcoholic, abusive/neglectful mother. He is around 21, living independently, but can't escape Mom because he has a severely autistic brother.  When  Mom gets completely drunk/arrested/jailed, it's up to our protagonist to take care of his brother.  Good stuff.

Protagonist is in college.  English assignment is to do a biography.  He decides to visit an old folks home and find a subject.  He is directed to Carl Iverson, a convicted murder/rapist, who is dying of cancer.

Protagonist hears Carl's story, investigate the trial, hears of Carl's experiences in Vietnam (hero, and ethical).

Plot:  Investigation of the trial and conviction.  Interaction of main character with mom and with his brother. Interaction of main character with Lila, a neighbor, who becomes involved in the case.

Is Carl a monster?  A victim?  Who killed the 14 year-old girl.

Vietnam lurking in the background.

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