Wow, what a powerful read.
Jeannette, New York journalist, tells us the story of her chaotic childhood with her charismatic alcoholic father and her depressive artist mother. With her three siblings, Jeannette is bounced around houses and states in a precarious and semi-nomadic lifestyle, finally settling into a damp and dreary leaking house in West Virginia after a relatively peaceful time in Phoenix.
Jeannette wants to understand her parents and is especially close with her father. In fact, she’s his biggest champion, making his alcoholic antics even more heartbreaking.
The childish point of view is so vivid. So much disruption and disappointment that Jeannette desperately keeps trying to justify. Her wishful thinking and efforts show her indomitable spirit that ultimately helps her break free and start a new life in New York with her siblings.
The relationship dynamics are so interesting here. Why do people do the things that they do? Why do the parents keep failing their children? What’s their philosophy? What’s the story behind the father’s alcoholism? Why do people react differently to abuse?
The depiction of poverty, abuse, and deprivation is so disturbing and yet also so real. In some ways, this is a social novel as it tracks systemic failures and deprived communities.
There’s dark humour here too, it’s not all heavy, and in the end, there’s also a lot of love amongst all the craziness. Some of the ideas the parents have aren’t completely harebrained either.
One word: deprivation.
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