Exploring Change in ‘Neighbors’ by Rodney Nelsestuen

Reviewed by Maalin Ogaja for Readers’ Favorite May 11, 2025

“Neighbors by Rodney Nelsestuen is a story about the inevitability of change, especially in middle-age, when the physical, emotional, and social landscapes shift. For Peter, Leroy, and Jerry, neighbors in Eagles Pond, the most visible change is the evolving makeup of their community, with more families from diverse backgrounds gradually replacing the once predominant white residents.

Yet the real upheaval lies in their personal lives: failed marriages, career setbacks, health struggles, and fractured family ties. As the world shifts around them, Peter, Leroy, and Jerry must choose whether to adapt, retreat, or regroup in a world where certainty is fleeting and the only way forward is to confront the unknown with courage or be left behind.

In Neighbors, Rodney Nelsestuen captures one of life’s pivotal seasons, notably from the male perspective, a refreshing take rarely explored with such depth and authenticity. While some of the situations in which Peter, Leroy, and Jerry find themselves are indeed heartbreaking, others stem from their assumptions, choices, and biases. Their struggles reflect the delicate balance between circumstance and personal accountability, revealing how much of their reality is both lived and self-imposed.

In other words, they are just human, with human failings and fragile hopes, navigating the uncertainties of life with the best, and sometimes worst, intentions. Nelsestuen hints at the power play between the three by subtly emphasizing an underlying tension among them. Despite their shared characteristics, they continue to wrestle with traditional notions of control and strength, not only with each other but also in their other relationships. This creates a complex layer of interpersonal connections that enriches the overall theme.

Readers who enjoy thoughtful, introspective narratives exploring change from diverse perspectives will certainly appreciate Neighbors.”