Many thanks to NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Jami Attenberg for the opportunity to read and review her latest novel - 5 stars for a great read about a family and all its dysfunctional ways.
Victor is the head of his family but he's not a nice man. His business is built on criminal ways, he's unfaithful to his wife, and is physically abusive with her and their two children. His wife, Barbra, puts up with his behavior because she gets something out of it - money and the freedom to do what she wants. Never maternal with the children, Alex & Gary, who grew up not liking their absent father. Alex gets a call from Barbra that Victor is on his deathbed and wants the children to come. Alex goes to New Orleans not to be with her dad but to hopefully uncover the true reasons behind the marriage dysfunction that shaped her life.
Set on one day on Victor's death watch, each chapter gives us a view into lots of different characters both in the immediate family as well as outside that circle, all providing more to the story about how dysfunction carries down into the generations and how to stop it. I loved the truth that poured off these pages into the messy feelings that go along with family and relationships. Great New Orleans setting as well - the heat and humidity felt so real.
Highly recommended - another winner from Jami Attenberg!
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