I think that I saw this on one of the blogs that I read and I'm glad that I picked it up. I needed something a little bit different and this fit the bill. It takes place near where I grew up on Long Island. It involves Thanksgiving, family dysfunction and is a debut novel - all wonderful things.
The Ryan sisters - Cait, Maggie and Alice - haven't all been home for the holidays in years. During the holiday in this novel, though, they are all at home at the family home on Long Island. This is occurring in spite of resentment and misgivings and a tragedy that looms over the whole family. Approximately 20 years before the events in this novel, the only brother, Topher, was involved in a boating accident that killed his best friend. There was a lawsuit filed. Topher, we learn, is the black sheep that felt the after effects not only of the accident but of the lawsuit and this figures prominently in the familial dysfunction that is the main character in this novel.
I very much enjoyed this novel. The secrets and tension and drama slowly unfolds, providing us with more insight into the heartbreaking dynamics of this family. Even though the drama is slow to unfold, the book itself is a very quick read and can be consumed in small bites. I love it when I can steal ten minutes here and there to read quick snippets. There was a lot to ponder, including mental health issues, homosexuality and its acceptance (or not) in a conservative family, the role of children and women and the role that each child assumes based upon their birth order. I really enjoyed this novel and it gave me a lot to think about.
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