Books matching: familial dysfunction
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- #1
Save:The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a memoir that delves into Walls' tumultuous childhood growing up in poverty with two unstable and neglectful parents. Walls details astounding anecdotes of her unconventional upbringing, showcasing a family that lived an offbeat, nonconformist lifestyle. The book portrays the struggles of the author and her siblings as they navigate through a challenging and unusual childhood, fending for themselves and raising each other while their parents prioritize their own desires over responsibilities.
Walls' writing style is described as compelling, emotional, and honest, drawing readers into her story with vivid descriptions and a witty voice. The book offers a window into a world that many readers may never experience, shedding light on themes of resilience, forgiveness, and love in the face of adversity. The narrative unfolds through a series of shocking and heart-wrenching events, leaving readers both saddened and inspired by the author's journey from a difficult past to an uncertain future.
I WAS SITTING IN a taxi, wondering if I had overdressed for the evening, when I looked out the window and saw Mom rooting through a Dumpster. It was just after dark. A blustery March wind whipped the ... - #2
Save:Educated by Tara Westover is a memoir recounting the author's tumultuous childhood growing up in Idaho in a dysfunctional family. Tara's father, a strict Mormon and anti-government supporter, forbids her from attending school, leading her to work in the family's scrap yard instead. Despite the isolation and abuse she faces at home, Tara eventually breaks free and pursues education, earning scholarships and grants to study at prestigious universities like Cambridge and Harvard. The book delves into themes of familial dysfunction, survivalism, mental illness, and the transformative power of education.
My strongest memory is not a memory. It’s something I imagined, then came to remember as if it had happened. The memory was formed when I was five, just before I turned six, from a story my father tol... - #3
Save:'The Roanoke Girls' by Amy Engel is a disturbing thriller that delves into taboo subjects like incest, sexual violence, and family dysfunction. The story follows Lane Roanoke as she returns to her family home in Kansas, uncovering dark family secrets and trying to find her missing cousin, Allegra. The narrative alternates between past and present timelines, creating a suspenseful and engaging read that keeps readers hooked until the very end. Amy Engel's writing style is described as captivating, with well-developed characters and a skillful weaving of multiple timelines to reveal the sinister truths of the Roanoke family.
The second time I saw Roanoke was a month after my mother committed suicide. She hanged herself from her bedroom doorknob while I was at school. Made a noose of her bathrobe sash and knelt in supplica... - #4
Save:"Running with Scissors" by Augusten Burroughs is a memoir recounting the author's tumultuous childhood and adolescence. Living with a mentally ill mother, he is sent to live with her psychiatrist, Dr. Finch, where he navigates bizarre and dysfunctional relationships, including a love affair with an older man. The book is a darkly humorous and candid portrayal of a dysfunctional family dynamic, exploring themes of abuse, resilience, and survival. Burroughs' writing style blends humor and honesty to create a unique and engaging narrative that delves into the author's unusual life experiences.
Y MOTHER IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE BATHROOM MIRror smelling polished and ready; like Jean Naté, Dippity Do and the waxy sweetness of lipstick. Her white, handgunshaped blow-dryer is lying on top of ... - #5
Save:'Anywhere But Here' by Mona Simpson is a poignant and complex story that follows the journey of Ann and her mother, Adele, as they move from Wisconsin to California in pursuit of a better life. The book delves into the dysfunctional dynamics between the two characters, with Adele's grandiose dreams contrasting with Ann's desire for normalcy. The narrative is told from multiple viewpoints, offering a layered exploration of love, ambition, and the complexities of family relationships. The writing style includes abrupt plot twists, alternating between moments of misery and amazement, creating a realistic portrayal of the rollercoaster of emotions within the August family.
We fought. When my mother and I crossed state lines in the stolen car, I’d sit against the window and wouldn’t talk. I wouldn’t even look at her. The fights came when I thought she broke a promise. Sh... - #6
Save:Model Home by Eric Puchner is a novel that delves deep into the unraveling of the Ziller family as they face a series of catastrophes that peel away the layers of their suburban facade. Set in Southern California in the mid-1980s, the story follows Warren Ziller's failed real estate venture, which plunges his family into an economic downturn and exposes the cracks in their relationships. Each chapter is narrated from the perspective of different family members, providing insights into their struggles, failures, and attempts to navigate through the turmoil. The writing style is described as vivid, engaging, and interwoven with dark humor, making the characters and events come alive on the page.
Two days after his car—an ’85 Chrysler LeBaron with leather seats and all-power accessories—vanished from the driveway, Warren Ziller crept past the expensive homes of his neighbors, trying to match h... - #7
Save:The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy is a novel that delves into the complex dynamics of the Wingo family, focusing on siblings Tom and Savannah, as well as their troubled past and the impact it has on their lives. The narrative unfolds through Tom's perspective as he recounts the family's dark secrets and struggles, including mental illness, abuse, and trauma. Conroy's writing style is described as lyrical and poetic, painting a vivid picture of the American South, particularly South Carolina, and exploring themes of love, tragedy, healing, and redemption.
It was five o’clock in the afternoon Eastern Standard Time when the telephone rang in my house on Sullivans Island, South Carolina. My wife, Sallie, and I had just sat down for a drink on the porch ov... - #8
Save:The Gathering by Anne Enright is a novel that delves into the aftermath of a brother's suicide, focusing on the protagonist, Veronica, as she reflects on her family's past and secrets. The story unfolds as Veronica navigates through memories, grief, and guilt, unveiling the dysfunction within her large Irish family and the impact of childhood experiences on the present. Enright's writing style is described as dark, poignant, and vivid, capturing the raw emotions and complexities of family dynamics with honesty and authenticity.
Veronica's journey to collect her brother's body in the UK and bring him back to Dublin serves as a catalyst for revisiting long-held family secrets and exploring the consequences of trauma and abuse. The narrative weaves through generations, revealing buried truths and portraying the protagonist's struggle with her own memories and emotions. The novel is praised for its depth in character portrayal, the evocative nature of Enright's writing, and the exploration of themes such as grief, guilt, love, and the intricacies of family relationships.
- #9
Save:Commonwealth by Ann Patchett is a multi-generational blended family drama that spans five decades, exploring the lives of two interconnected families after a fateful kiss at a christening party leads to broken marriages and blended siblings. The narrative is told through multiple perspectives and non-linear storytelling, delving into themes of family dynamics, memory, and the impact of past events on present lives. Patchett's writing style weaves together the characters' stories, creating nuanced portraits and exploring the complexities of relationships and the choices that shape individuals' destinies.
The christening party took a turn when Albert Cousins arrived with gin. Fix was smiling when he opened the door and he kept smiling as he struggled to make the connection: it was Albert Cousins from t... - #10
Save:'The Last Romantics' by Tara Conklin is a family drama that follows the lives of four siblings, starting from their childhood through to their adult years. The story delves into the complexities of their relationships, the challenges they face after the death of their father, and the impact of their mother's depression. Narrated by the youngest sibling, Fiona, who is a poet, the novel weaves together themes of love, loss, family dynamics, and personal growth. Set in both the present and the future, the book explores how the siblings navigate through life's trials and tribulations, ultimately finding strength and connection in their shared history.
In the spring of 1981, our father died. His name was Ellis Avery Skinner, thirty-four years old, a small bald lozenge at the back of his head that he covered every morning with a few hopeful strands. ...
