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amykuc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Turner House is not going to go in my list of feel good books. It's more of a slow, reflective read about family and searching for one's true identity. Francis and Viola Turner raised 13 children in their home on Yarrow Street. With the state of the economy and city unrest, their home has now become more of a burden than a home. The home sits empty after Viola had to move into her son's home because of health and all of her children are grown. While you think the book will center around the family's search for the best solution to deal with their family home, instead it delves into several of the adult children and their adult search to discover who they are.
Cha-Cha, the oldest of the family has always been tasked with the job of caring for the rest of the family. As a young man he helped raise and finance the younger children. His mother even gave him the responsibility of monitoring his father's drinking. As a child, he had seen a haint at the family home. Years later, he sees it again. He tries to figure out if the haint is real, what does it mean, and what should he do about it. He searches with his therapist as well as looking for the help of the rest of him family.
The other main character is one of the youngest children, Lelah, who just can't seem to get her life together. She has struggled as a mother, an employee, and a sister over the years. She knows the rest of the family considers her the "useless" one. The book walks through her latest set of disasters and trying to find a solution.
As I said, this wasn't a feel-good book. I don't think about triggers very often. Addiction was a theme that ran through the book-gambling and alcoholism. There was a description of the father's alcoholism that was the most on point description I ever read of my dealings with an alcoholic. So perhaps, my rating is affected by that story line. While I didn't finish the book with happily ever after, I did finish appreciating the trip through the Turner family's life.
Cha-Cha, the oldest of the family has always been tasked with the job of caring for the rest of the family. As a young man he helped raise and finance the younger children. His mother even gave him the responsibility of monitoring his father's drinking. As a child, he had seen a haint at the family home. Years later, he sees it again. He tries to figure out if the haint is real, what does it mean, and what should he do about it. He searches with his therapist as well as looking for the help of the rest of him family.
The other main character is one of the youngest children, Lelah, who just can't seem to get her life together. She has struggled as a mother, an employee, and a sister over the years. She knows the rest of the family considers her the "useless" one. The book walks through her latest set of disasters and trying to find a solution.
As I said, this wasn't a feel-good book. I don't think about triggers very often. Addiction was a theme that ran through the book-gambling and alcoholism. There was a description of the father's alcoholism that was the most on point description I ever read of my dealings with an alcoholic. So perhaps, my rating is affected by that story line. While I didn't finish the book with happily ever after, I did finish appreciating the trip through the Turner family's life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Racism
Minor: Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
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