Tag: multi-generational

Bug Hollow by Michelle Huneven (Literary Fiction)

A multi-generational family story told through progressing vignettes, each told from the 3rd person perspectives of different family members during precipitating events. Throughout it all, we learn about each character in some depth. I found myself advancing through various stages of a reader’s judgmental process with respect to each of them as they did things I admired, found annoying, detested, felt sorry for, etc. I’m not always aware of how judgmental I am as a reader, but this shifting perspective and focal point made me realize it. With excellent, clear, writing, the author exposes us to the many different facets of an individual’s personality and how easily we fall into judgement as measured against an idea of perfection that few people can attain.

The prose contained beautiful description of places, feelings, and interactions — I loved the author’s use of language, and I loved her portrayal of realistic family interactions — this was not a dysfunctional family, but also not an idealized one. The story moved through tragedy, adoption and birth mothers, an assignment in Saudi Arabia, death, worries, college tours and my favorite vignette: the very different love story of Mrs. Wright (the upstanding Principal of the local school) and a Jamaican immigrant.

Highly recommended.

Ask Again,Yes by Mary Beth Keane (Literary Fiction)

Writing: 4.5/5 Plot: 4/5 Character: 5/5

I ended up loving this story exploring the impact of a “tragic event” on two families. In general, I don’t like reading about tragic events — it’s depressing, upsetting, and being the emotional sponge that I am, I don’t feel the need to soak up more misery than is absolutely necessary. But! This really wasn’t that kind of book. Instead, it’s a book about people making their way through life, living with choices — both the ones they make and the ones thrust upon them — and learning about themselves and each other.

Two families brought together happenstance (two rookie cops in the same class, a move to adjacent houses in the suburbs) are inextricably bound together by the aforementioned “tragic incident.” The book does a brilliant job of showcasing the full impact of mental illness — from the person who suffers, to his or her family, and the swath of destruction left in its wake. Ranging from the early seventies to the present day, we get intimate portraits of each character as his or her innate personalities are molded, expanded, and stunted by his or her experiences — a kind of a human development lab examining the twining of nature and nurture. Some excellent portraits of marriage — I love one of the lines: “Marriage is long. All the seams get tested.”

Absorbing writing, in-depth, and insightful characters — an exploration of the impact of the vicissitudes of life on evolving into the person you become.

Good for fans of Ann Packer or Joyce Carol Oates.