*We Were the Mulvaneys

bc we are the mulvaneys

There’s a hint in the title of the book, “We Were the Mulvaneys,” and it weighs on you as you read the story. The “Were,” was ever present while reading about this highly functional, amazing family. “Happy Days,” and “The Wonder Years,” couldn’t come close. I wanted to be adopted – but, then, of course, I didn’t.

The family implodes with such devastation to its core. Joyce Carol Oats tells this sad tale that just keeps spiraling out-of-control with no brakes. I kept waiting for someone to be an adult and take charge of the situation, but it doesn’t happen.

The children are so different from one another, and have such a hard time relating to each other when they leave their childhood home. The oldest and the “All-American,” Michael, the genius, Patrick, the too-good to be true, Marianne, and the baby, Judd, all leave their childhood home and are thrown into a world that they have to navigate alone and without parental assistance because of a tragedy that happens to Marianne, the only daughter and sister. Their stories vividly portray the anguish they faced trying to grow up in this new world with rules they don’t quite understand.

The father and mother bothered me, and they will bother you also. It’s hard to understand them now, but I try to remember that time and my parents and the world as it was. Maybe I look to much to the past, there are probably plenty of parents that can’t handle the curve balls life throws at them.

I really enjoyed the book – it made me angry, sad, and in the end hopeful – just what a good book should! Book clubs will have a lot of discussion generated by the parents and the children’s adaptation of their lives. Is Patrick justified in his actions? Is Marianne really so complacent and docile? Is Corinne a good mother, a good wife? How could Michael, Sr. blame everyone else?

Good book, good discussion!

Rating: 8.5

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