Reviews

I finished this a week ago and haven't had time to write a review. I wasn't a fan of it because it was kind of boring, in my opinion.

The book follows three boys-mostly two since one died: Cam, TJ, and Kai. Cam has been living in LA with Kai but has recently been struggling with the loss of his BF, Kai. Cam moves home to Houston, rekindling with his former best friend, TJ. TJ struggles to understand this new self-destructive Cam and navigate the tension between them.

Good story, poorly executed.

wanderlust_romance's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Family Meal is a slow-paced, character driven novel that focuses on several relationships: Cam, in the aftermath of his partner Kai's death; TJ, in his meandering professional life, complicated romantic and sexual relationships, and memories of his father; and Kai, in a post-humous reflection on his coming of age in Louisiana, queerness, relationship with Cam, and experience as a Japanese translator.

Cam's character arc is particularly devastating. He is on an increasingly downward spiral after moving back to Houston from Los Angeles after the death of his partner Kai. He is grieving and engaging in risky and harmful behaviors in order to avoid dealing with his emotional state. When the people around Cam try to buoy him through this self-harm, Cam takes actions that contribute to pushing his friends away.

The bulk of the story focuses on TJ. His work, his family dynamics, his mixed race identity (Black/Asian), his messy romantic and sexual relationships, memories of his deceased father, and his longstanding friendship with Cam. To some degree, he is a very isolated character, similar to Cam in his self-destructive spiral prior to entering rehab. TJ's story felt the most unfocused until the very end of his chapter - when he finally comes to the realization that connection and family (chosen or by blood) are necessary.

I enjoyed how Houston itself became a character within the story. Washington manages to weave together unique neighborhoods, city life observations, and aspects of gentrification into a place setting that helps set the scene for these characters exceptionally well. And the food descriptions and references...man I am really craving some Korean food now.

Family Meal reminded me a lot of All Friends Are Necessary by Tomas Moniz with its earnestness and exploration of grief and queerness.

Content Warnings