by Maile Meloy
First published 2005
The Santerre family carries their secrets like heirlooms, passing deception from one generation to the next. In California, from World War II through the present day, four generations of this Catholic family struggle with desires they cannot voice and truths they refuse to tell. Jealousy runs as deep as love in their household, while propriety masks the longing that drives their choices. The family maintains a fragile balance until tragedy strikes, exposing the lies that have shaped their relationships for decades. As their carefully constructed world crumbles, the Santerres must find the strength to rebuild what they have lost. Some family members discover unexpected courage, while others learn that compassion can bridge even the widest emotional distances. Through moments both comic and disturbing, the Santerres reveal how ordinary people navigate extraordinary pain. Their story explores the complex nature of human love and the price families pay for the truths they choose not to tell.
Genres: fiction, family, literary-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: deception, secrets
Setting: California
Period: World War II, Present Day
Hardcover · Ulverscroft Large Print Books Ltd
Content warnings: emotional-abuse