infinitejoe's review
5.0
After reading the "The Best American Short Stories - 2012", edited by Tom Perrotta, one of my favorite current authors, I decided to see if any of the authors of the better stories had written any novels. I came up with a few that seemed like they'd be worth a try, and made this one my first.
The book is about a family of five that starts to decay and come apart at the seams after a mixture of bad decisions and a tragic accident, and how they try to deal with their situation, sometimes making things better, and more often than not making them worse. The characters and their interactions seemed real and intimate, with an authentic emotional thread throughout. Quirky and depressing, the book made me laugh out loud at some parts while leaving me in somber thought at others. The pace was perfect, and I just wanted to keep reading.
Loved this book, and I hope to see more coming from this author.
The book is about a family of five that starts to decay and come apart at the seams after a mixture of bad decisions and a tragic accident, and how they try to deal with their situation, sometimes making things better, and more often than not making them worse. The characters and their interactions seemed real and intimate, with an authentic emotional thread throughout. Quirky and depressing, the book made me laugh out loud at some parts while leaving me in somber thought at others. The pace was perfect, and I just wanted to keep reading.
Loved this book, and I hope to see more coming from this author.
glabeson's review against another edition
3.0
Reminiscent of the dysfunctional families of [b:May We Be Forgiven|16061734|May We Be Forgiven|A.M. Homes|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1349221581s/16061734.jpg|19176680] and [b:The Corrections|3805|The Corrections|Jonathan Franzen|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1355011305s/3805.jpg|941200], but without the plot going to the ridiculous. Some very smart/witty dialogue when the family is gathered...
tessam's review against another edition
3.0
This book was unbearably depressing but I think I sort of liked it. The author portrays a family that is falling apart at the seams and it is impossible not to feel extremely passionate and empathetic toward each one. The plot is a bit far-fetched, but there is never a dull moment. It is also jam-packed with dark humor.
katalia's review
2.0
Meh, it was a look at American excess, and dysfunctional family relationships ... I read it all, but I didn't really like it.
ericfheiman's review
4.0
Eric Puchner tackles the familiar topic of suburban familial malaise by shooting it so full of growth hormones, that by the halfway point the reader is slack-jawed from the narrative explosions (literally and figuratively) that occur. The book would feel like a stunt if the author's seven-plus characters weren't all so well-rendered. A total sleeper hit that deserves more recognition and readers.
lisagray68's review
4.0
Most people gave this book a lower review because it was depressing. Well, it IS kind of depressing, but I'm glad the author didn't slap on a happy ending or something, because that would have been totally unrealistic. This book is about relatively good people who are making bad mistakes, and then trying to hide them, therefore making bigger mistakes. It just gets worse and worse, like watching a train wreck in slow motion. But the characters are well drawn and interesting. I felt for them, even though they were hot messes. So - even though depressing, I enjoyed this book from a very talented writer.
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