By Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeny
Genre Adult Contemporary
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Synopsis
The Plumb children have always relied on the certainty that when the youngest, (Melody) turns 40, they will receive their inheritance. Each, with their own reasons for needing the money, eagerly await that day. But when Leo, the oldest, gets in an accident, the money is all but drained to pay for his indiscretions.
The future they've all depended on and imagined is no more. Can they fix their futures with out money? And will their troubles pull them together or drive them apart?
First Sentence
Because the three Plumbs had agreed on the phone the previous evening that they should not drink in front of their brother Leo, they were all-unbeknownst to one another-sitting in separate bars in and around Grand Central, savoring a furtive cocktail before lunch.
I'm not sure what exactly drew me to this one. Peer pressure, I suppose. I saw it was nominated for best fiction book by Goodread's users and I had seen a lot of buzz for it around the web, though I couldn't see why, the meager plot line seemed too flimsy for a story, but for some reason I picked it up. And I'm glad I did! Though, a third of the way through it I was starting to reconsider finishing it.
The characters were so reliant on having the money that they all acted stupidly and immature. Not seeing what blessings they had right in front of them. But before you can completely give up on them you begin to see a spark of an ability to cope with their predicament and suddenly you can't put the book down for want of seeing them succeed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The meager plot line was indeed meager but this was more a story of character and I was wholly and completely OK with that. Very satisfied!
Should you read it
Yes. I'd recommend it. Especially for a book group read. There's much to discuss within these pages.
I have this on my TBR. Glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI did. I hope you like it too.
DeleteI've heard good things about this one, just haven't picked it up yet. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to have you opinion of it.
DeleteI agree, the premise didn't do much for me. But you've piqued my interest, so maybe I'll give it a go. If nothing else, the cover is pretty!
ReplyDeleteIt does have a nice cover, doesn't it?
DeleteThis sounds really cool! I've always found human nature interesting especially how we constantly want more and seem to think that what we have is never enough. I'm really glad you enjoyed it and the hype didn't fall flat. I'll definitely try to pick this up some time!
ReplyDeleteLaura @BlueEyeBooks
It's sad but something I think we can all see in each other and ourselves. It was interesting to read about it.
DeleteI got nervous when I saw the title. One of the worst books I read last year was called The Nest. Totally different book thank goodness! :) This one sounds way better.
ReplyDeleteI guess with such a simple name it's bound to have other books of the same title but I always thought it was weird when that happens.
DeleteWhoa! You were okay with a character-driven book! That's not like you at all. It's probably because it still had a plot, measly as it was. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat!? It is mostly about the characters and you liked it? Wow! You should suggest this for book club!
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely one of those books that I meant to read (because the cover is gorgeous and I'm totally sucked in by pretty covers), but just haven't yet. Sometimes bookish peer pressure is a good thing... I might have to snag a copy!
ReplyDeleteI picked this one up not long ago at a library book sale. I'm going to see if one of my book clubs want to read it this year.
ReplyDelete