Jules Moreau and his two siblings, Marty and Liz, grow up in a protected household until a car accident kills both of their parents. Sent to a strict boarding school, the three siblings drift apart, each handling the loss through different defense mechanisms. Jules changes from a confident child into a withdrawn dreamer, finding a fragile connection with a girl named Alva. The narrative follows Jules across several decades as he attempts to reconnect with his siblings and reclaim the life he lost, eventually marrying Alva and facing the reality of inherited misfortune.
Readers of contemporary literary fiction choose this book to understand how early grief reshapes a person’s identity over decades. It attracts those interested in the mechanics of memory and the way familial bonds survive long periods of silence. A reader finishes the book with a perspective on whether one can ever truly bridge the gap between their actual life and the idealized version that existed before a tragedy. It provides a study of how childhood trauma dictates adult choices.
Inward-looking and thought-provoking; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2016
- Language
- EN
