The author takes a little too much pleasure in bringing us round in circles, which sees the end of his story go out with a whimper. In a book that delights in showing its scaffolding, there are some parts that need more attention – Shannon’s history with a local businessowner; Greg’s poignant plea to know his father; racist Bernard’s comeuppance.
For the most part, however, Jordan-Baker does a fine job of homing in on the trauma and tensions in family life that can press painfully against an individual’s heart. When all the drama and narrative whirling is deconstructed, there is a simple and effective message in the foundations: “We all know that families are impossible to ignore, whatever we think of them.”
