by Joan Silber
First published 1980
Joan Silber's 1980 novel examines the intricate dynamics of family life and intimate relationships. The narrative follows characters navigating the complexities of domestic existence, where everyday conversations and routine interactions reveal deeper currents of connection and disconnection. Silber crafts scenes that illuminate how people communicate and miscommunicate within the confines of home and family structures. The story explores the tensions between individual desires and collective responsibilities, showing how personal choices ripple through households and relationships. Through careful observation of ordinary moments, the novel reveals the emotional undercurrents that shape how people live together and apart. The book captures the weight of unspoken expectations and the challenge of maintaining authentic connections in familiar spaces.
Genres: family, literary-fiction, domestic-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Period: 1980
256 pages · Hardcover · Viking Adult