A review by amlibera
Family Happiness by Laurie Colwin

4.0

This is a re-read. I love Colwin - her books are absolutely in my comfort zone. And her writing is gorgeous without being mannered (although her world is extremely mannered to almost a Wes Anderson level). This has never been my favorite of her books (I think that Happy All the Time is my favorite) and the story of a happily married, highly accomplished woman carrying on an affair has always struck me as problematic. Interesting that a lot of the GR reviews suggest that the book feels dated because this time around I was aware of a modern resonance that I hadn't felt earlier. The idea that the job of a modern woman is to be a complete homemaker, mother, wife, successful careerist, and fully self actualized felt like something very current indeed. Along with the impossibility of that task.