“The Top Of The World” by Ethan Joella – Book Review @ScribnerBooks @JoellaWriting #TheTopOfTheWorld #BookReview

I have never been disappointed with a novel written by Ethan Joella. This one, though not my favourite of his, was a satisfying and emotional read.

Essentially a story about sibling relationships, it explores how much, and how little, we know our siblings. Sometimes, in the case of these characters, it is only after one of them dies that the knowing really blossoms.

Chip Bishop is just a teenager when he receives a devastating, terminal diagnosis. Wanting to temporarily escape his home and family and experience a bit of life on his own, he goes to work at The Red Maple Inn in the Poconos, without telling his family where he is going. There he meets many people, all the while keeping his illness a secret so as not to let it define who he is. He makes some true friends, and more importantly, finds love.

Told in a dual timeline format, in this case only a year apart, the second timeline follows Chip’s younger sister, Maggie. Devastated by the passing of her beloved brother, Maggie also travels to the Red Maple Inn in the hope that she will discover more about Chip. She too begins working at the Inn and meets many of the people who were important to Chip in his last days.

Both Chip and Maggie have transformative experiences at the Red Maple Inn. The novel leans toward melodrama, and takes the reader through a vast array of emotions. This story is about bereavement and grief, while at the same time it delivers many heart-warming, and heart-lifting moments. The 1970s setting evokes a certain amount of nostalgia and makes some of the scenes more believable.

“The Top Of The World” was a novel with deeply layered, very likeable characters. The setting was very atmospheric, and the plot well paced. A book about grief, hope, and the powerful effect of human connection, this will be enjoyed by many.

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Scribner via NetGalley.

Publication date: June 30, 2026

Publisher: Scribner/Simon & Schuster

ISBN: 9781668024621 – 272 pages

Ethan Joella teaches English and psychology at the University of Delaware and specializes in community writing workshops. His work has appeared in River Teeth, The Cimarron Review, The MacGuffin, Delaware Beach Life, and Third Wednesday. He is the author of A Little Hope, which was a Read with Jenna Bonus Selection and his second novel A Quiet Life.