Renowned poet, Fiona Skinner, is asked about the inspiration behind "The Love Poem," her most iconic piece. The poem is actually a story about her family and a betrayal that spans years.
The Skinner siblings—Renee, Caroline, Joe, and Fiona—are in limbo. They are caught between their previous life when their father was still alive, and their uncertain future without him. His death sets in motion several events: Joe's baseball career, the Pause (a period of time where their mother was incapable of leaving her bedroom), moving to a smaller home, and one unsupervised summer where they were almost feral by its end. But what happened that summer was that they forged a deep connection and became incredibly loyal to one another.
Two decades later the family is once again marred by tragedy and the siblings are left questioning how deep their bonds really are, their own life choices, and just how far they will go for true love.
Conklin's intimate portrait of the Skinners speaks to family obligation, resentment, tragedy, and above all, love. More specifically, the kind of love that is eclipsed by grief and how one family is changed forever after such a monumental loss.
This sweeping and moving novel spans a large period of time. Conklin tackles the early years with ease but as the Skinners grow, the more dysfunctional and unlikeable they become. Unfortunately this is how she propels the narrative and I couldn't engage with the older versions of the characters. Also problematic was the futuristic dystopian parts, they didn't work or fit with the style of the rest of the narrative and caused unnecessary bulk. Ultimately what saves the book is Conklin's beautiful writing—I loved The House Girl and really enjoyed parts of this book.
TARA CONKLIN worked as a litigator, but now writes full-time. Her first novel, The House Girl. was a New York Times bestseller, #1 IndieNext pick, Target book club pick and has been translated into 8 languages.
Tara was born in St. Croix, USVI and grew up in Massachusetts. She currently resides with her family in Seattle, WA.
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