First published 1993
The novel follows members of an Irish American family as they navigate the complexities of immigrant life in early twentieth century Brooklyn. McDermott centers the story on the evening gatherings that bring together multiple generations, where old grievances surface alongside shared memories. The characters wrestle with questions of belonging as they balance their Irish heritage against their American present. Family obligations clash with individual desires as younger members seek paths different from their parents' expectations. Through intimate domestic scenes, the book examines how families both sustain and constrain their members across cultural divides.
Genres: family, american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, american, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate
Tropes: family-obligations, individual-desires
Setting: Brooklyn
Period: Early 20th Century
Paperback · Fisical_Book