February 28, 2022
The death of a patriarch throws an Irish Chicago family into a tailspin in Close’s humdrum dramedy (after The Hopefuls). When the Sullivan clan suddenly loses patriarch Bud, family members begin systematically unraveling. The outcome of the 2016 presidential election makes things worse, and the Cubs’ World Series victory isn’t quite enough consolation. The story primarily revolves around two sisters, Bud’s grandchildren. There’s Gretchen, the singer for a New York City cover band, and her older, more domesticated sister, Jane, who increasingly suspects her husband of cheating. More engaging is the plight of the sisters’ good-natured cousin Teddy, the general manager of the burger joint Bud owned. Teddy yearns for his ex-boyfriend, who keeps showing up to have dinner at the restaurant, and the kind of romance that seems just out of reach. There’s also newly widowed Rose, in an assisted living facility, who must now face life without Bud. In the place of plot are the characters’ tribulations, played out in placid, heavily detailed chapters, as when Gretchen abandons hope of rock stardom and comes home, Teddy assesses his love life, and Jane reevaluates her marriage. It’s rough going, but Close manages to evoke the durable power of family.
September 1, 2022
Close's (The Hopefuls) latest is set in Chicago in the fall of 2016, as the Sullivan family experiences an unforgettable turn of events. The Cubs win the World series, Trump becomes president, and Bud, the pillar of the family, passes away. Narrator Cassandra Campbell's pleasant performance highlights the character-driven storyline and gives voice to characters in this relatable family drama. Gretchen is a singer for a '90s cover band who begins to question her never-ending chase for fame. Jane, Gretchen's older sister, suspects her gym-obsessed husband isn't actually "working late." And Teddy, the sisters' perpetually sweet cousin who manages the family's restaurant, is stuck seeing his ex-boyfriend daily. As their world falls apart, their family draws together. Campbell captures the characters' flawed and sometimes unlikable personalities. But she balances the dysfunctional with the genuine, making sure listeners will root for the characters' successes. She also takes note of Close's slow-paced plot and proceeds accordingly. The novel includes divisive politics and talk of death and divorce, but all characters, even minor ones, are fleshed out, with distinct personalities and unique voices. VERDICT Much like an actual family, Close's tale is real and messy, and love it or hate it, a good addition to library collections.--Emily Pykare
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