In Parallax 9/11, R. Taylor Hopkinson tells a story that is both tragic and deeply human. At its heart is Keith Chapman—a charismatic, fun-loving British father who never returned from a simple golf trip to Florida. While the world remembers 9/11 as a day of monumental loss, this book reminds us of the quieter stories, the ones that didn’t make headlines but left permanent scars. Keith’s story is one of them.
More than just a name in a case file, Keith was affectionately known as “Sunshine” to those who loved him. He was a man who lit up rooms with his humor, kindness, and passion for music. Every Saturday night, at his local karaoke bar in Manchester, he’d take the stage with a grin and deliver his signature tune: “The Wonder of You” by Elvis Presley. It wasn’t just a performance—it was a declaration of love, especially after he met Angela Cassidy, the woman who would become the mother of his child and his fiancée.
Hopkinson brings this scene to life with warmth and vividness. In one unforgettable moment, Keith kneels before Angela during the song, serenading her in front of a crowd of friends and strangers. It’s a gesture that speaks volumes about the kind of man he was—romantic, uninhibited, genuine. The lyrics of the song—“When no one else can understand me, when everything I do is wrong…”—became a personal anthem for the love they shared.
This moment of music and connection, now frozen in time, serves as a powerful counterpoint to the tragedy that followed. In May 2000, just weeks before their wedding, Keith was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Florida. The twist? Eyewitnesses later identified the driver as Mohamed Atta—the man who would go on to lead the September 11 attacks.
Hopkinson’s book isn’t only about conspiracy or investigation. It’s about memory. It’s about how songs, like people, can become part of who we are and how we heal. “The Wonder of You” is no longer just a song—it’s Keith’s legacy, a living reminder of love, laughter, and loss.
This music-and-memory thread adds a personal, emotional texture to Parallax 9/11. While the book unearths disturbing questions and political ramifications, it never loses sight of the real people behind the tragedy. Through Keith’s story, readers are reminded that every global disaster is made up of countless individual heartbreaks.
As you read about Keith’s life—his jokes, his karaoke nights, his love for Angela and baby Jack—you’ll find yourself not only grieving his loss, but celebrating his spirit. And perhaps, like those who knew him, you’ll never hear “The Wonder of You” the same way again.