This was… a lot more than I expected.
So much happens. Enthralling, but also so much to take in.
For some reason, I did not realize it was a mult-generational family saga when I began. But I wasn't disappointed to find it out.
The author is writing coming-of-age stories. Where most writers would choose either to write from a teenage/adult perspective or a children's perspective, Moranville tried to straddle the awkward line between… and it was awkward. Too graphic to be a kids’ book, but simple enough to feel like middle grade; it made me feel sort of confused.
And edgy. Especially Jill's story (right in the middle of the hippie movement) which put me in a scary frame of mind. It didn't help that I was reading it on a cloudy day.
But there were some very well-written scenes. I did like the writing style. And Jim's story (throughout the whole book) was so sweet. He was the glue that held the family together—always trying to fix things, to be the answer. (Definitely an Enneagram 2.) I enjoyed his recurring appearance, and especially how the last story brought it back to him. He didn't get a lot of character development, but he was steady.
I don't know what else to say without spoiling it. I probably won't keep the book. But I know the story will stay with me for a long time.