The Curator: books about family drama
For when your own family gets to be too much. Books by Tess Gunty and Jennette McCurdy with special guest appearance.
The thing about family is that no matter how much you love them, no matter how functional and well-adjusted, they will always be DRAMA. Even if you don’t engage with your family, that generational trauma will come back to ruin your life if you aren’t careful to demote your demons to basic spirits.
Books are the spice of life - that’s the saying right? Family drama is the theme this week and at least it was all entertaining…
BOOK REVIEWS📚→
The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
I have a big thing for books about people - just whoever doing whatever, made interesting. Specifically, though - there has to be an element of technique that elevates it from Housewives to Succession (or Sopranos or Twin Peaks or whatever your jam is) for it to work. To keep me invested in imaginary friends, I need some variety.
The Rabbit Hutch fell neatly into this category - a Lit Fic NYT Best Book of 2022 with a glamorous cover and lots of promise. While it didn’t reach absolute classic status, it delivered moments of genius within a bizarre tableau of poverty and sadness that both compelled and annoyed me (slightly).
Things to Love - big supporting cast of bit players, alternating POVs (including bit players, love to see it!), changing stylistic and narrative techniques between chapters, LISTS (I f*cking love a good list), and of course some deep human insights (what IS lit fic without quotable phrases).
Things that Ick - teacher abusing vulnerable student (I get why it worked, but does it really HAVE to?), and very young adults speaking like baby philosophers - kids these days with their angst and their Google still wouldn’t produce a child like Tiffany/ Blandine.
You can tell Gunty has done her research - I see bits of technique from some of my favorite writers, and her voice is truly modern, if not trendy. I will certainly read the next thing she writes - I have a feeling she will only get more “her” with time.
I give this a Very MFA 4 Stars
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Well, well, well - a Popular Book that is actually worthy of the crown! The ONE time a clickbait title actually delivered on its promise. A celebrity memoir that doesn’t make me want to sue for Wasting my Damn Time (apparently that isn’t a thing you can sue for).
Since I am a non-fiction audiobook girly, I gave this one a listen. Jennette herself narrated (seems to be a celebrity memoir theme) and while I wouldn’t hire her to read literally anything else, I did enjoy her California monotone - it added a little more authenticity to this millennial experience.
Jennette gets REAL raw too - about her mother but also about her experience as a child TV star, the pressure of the industry, poverty, religion, mental health, eating disorders, substance abuse, and generational trauma. That list is enough to make anyone run straight to therapy.
What I loved is that Jennette writes from a distance of reflection and self-awareness which keeps the narrative from devolving into self-pity and hopelessness. Her humor and sarcasm balance her naked vulnerability just right. Child Stars - they’re not like us at all. And thank god this one made it out the other side alive.
I give this a Therapy for the Win 5 Stars
And a *BONUS* POEM REVIEW
The Godfather by Mario Puzo
I present to you a poem.
It’s 1945. The guidos are old school. Men provide for their family. They get sanchas and the last word. The hair, I imagine, wouldn't move in a tornado. Not a stick of deodorant in sight. Masculinity at it's finest. Women are in the home. They talk back and get beat. They cook and bear progeny. Or look hot and put out. Get it girl. Children are free labor. And then ultimately a disappointment. Sick bro. The police are useless. The law is useless. Everyone but the Godfather is useless, at least once.
Truly the highlight of this story - besides how hot Michael Corleone turned out - was the girl who had a huge snatch and had to get surgery before anyone could love her. Oh wait I forgot about Michael’s child bride. Oh ya and the time a pregnant woman got beat and her family said deal with it.
What. A. Classic.
Can’t wait to watch the movie.
How do you rate a legend? I don’t have the audacity.
READING 📖→
Finishing up Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo - and I have LOTS of thoughts. Not all of which are good, sadly.
Desperately trying to find a new audiobook after just finishing The Killer Across the Table by John E. Douglas - got any non-fiction suggestions for someone who has a horrible time with auditory focusing - lemme know!
Just started a reread of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn with The Big Read. We are one week in and I’m enjoying the hell out of it! For $5 a month, you get to read along with a bunch of cool people - come join our reading cult :)
LET’S CHAT☺→
Leave a comment with your favorite family drama book - it might be my favorite niche subgenre of all time.
Or per ush, let me know what you’ve been reading in the comments. I’m always game for a good rec (or warning, grievances, etc. ). If you tell me your favorite TV show or movie lately, I’ll give you a book recommendation.
In Case You Missed It 🖤
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See you around the bookshelf!
Natalie
