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A review by lonestarwords
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
Long Island Compromise has been on my radar ever since it was announced that the author of Fleishman is in Trouble had another book coming out. A huge thank you to @randomhouse for this early copy!
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Fleishman fans will instantly recognize the vibe - Brodesser-Akner’s tone is unmistakable, and she begins this almost 500 page family drama with one of the best opening lines I’ve ever come across.
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Set in 1980s Long Island, The Fletcher Family (Carl, his wife Ruth and their 3 children) live a wealthy lifestyle when Carl is randomly kidnapped. He is eventually released but not before intense emotional damage has taken root. The story unfolds as we go back into the lives of his family to assess that damage and how it manifested itself for each of them. The way this unfolded reminded me of The Bee Sting, in that we know there are wounds that run deep but the layers peel back slowly.
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This is not only a family drama but a story of privilege that exposes how the financial comfort and security of the Fletcher family is left afloat and drifting after their bubble of perfection bursts. Brodesser-Akner explores the random nature of life and fortune in a very off-beat way - this was a page turner, but it will require the specific reader who enjoys a deep analysis of generational trauma. It also illuminates Jewish-American traditions and history.
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There are some laugh out loud sections - family interactions that are so dialed in I wish I could have quoted them, and there are some very cringe worthy ones as well. One of the sons ends up addicted to drugs and sex and it’s just uncomfortable reading - we are spared nothing. My only real issue was at the end of this long novel, the author chose to drive her point home by hitting us a bit over the head with her thesis - that money is the root of all evil. I prefer it when a writer trusts me to intuit what she’s trying to get across.
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The ARC comes with an author’s note where she shares the fact that this is based on a true story from a LI kidnapping, which is fascinating because it seemed so far-fetched as I was reading.
•
I do think this is going to be a big summer book (out July 9) and a GREAT beach read.
•
Fleishman fans will instantly recognize the vibe - Brodesser-Akner’s tone is unmistakable, and she begins this almost 500 page family drama with one of the best opening lines I’ve ever come across.
•
Set in 1980s Long Island, The Fletcher Family (Carl, his wife Ruth and their 3 children) live a wealthy lifestyle when Carl is randomly kidnapped. He is eventually released but not before intense emotional damage has taken root. The story unfolds as we go back into the lives of his family to assess that damage and how it manifested itself for each of them. The way this unfolded reminded me of The Bee Sting, in that we know there are wounds that run deep but the layers peel back slowly.
•
This is not only a family drama but a story of privilege that exposes how the financial comfort and security of the Fletcher family is left afloat and drifting after their bubble of perfection bursts. Brodesser-Akner explores the random nature of life and fortune in a very off-beat way - this was a page turner, but it will require the specific reader who enjoys a deep analysis of generational trauma. It also illuminates Jewish-American traditions and history.
•
There are some laugh out loud sections - family interactions that are so dialed in I wish I could have quoted them, and there are some very cringe worthy ones as well. One of the sons ends up addicted to drugs and sex and it’s just uncomfortable reading - we are spared nothing. My only real issue was at the end of this long novel, the author chose to drive her point home by hitting us a bit over the head with her thesis - that money is the root of all evil. I prefer it when a writer trusts me to intuit what she’s trying to get across.
•
The ARC comes with an author’s note where she shares the fact that this is based on a true story from a LI kidnapping, which is fascinating because it seemed so far-fetched as I was reading.
•
I do think this is going to be a big summer book (out July 9) and a GREAT beach read.