A review by jonbrammer
The O'Briens by Peter Behrens

3.0

Skillfully crafted with well-drawn characters and evocative settings, this is escapist fiction that feels more literary. It does seem half-baked at times, as Behrens creates too many inconclusive narrative threads, but I appreciate how immersive his storytelling is. Behrens exemplifies one approach to writing fiction as a sort of wish-fulfillment, creating an alternate life where things are better, the people are more beautiful and more interesting, with just enough drama to justify a plot.