A review by emilypoche
The Californians by Brian Castleberry

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Thank you to Mariner Books for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. 

The Californians by Brian Castleberry is a work of literary fiction that follows three members of intertwined families whose lives have been heavily influenced by the arts. While the title “The Californians” is accurate in the sense that all of the characters spend at least some of the time in the state, the story is tied much more closely to their engagement with the arts (photorealistic painting, cinema and television, environmental performance art) and their family ties. 

The book follows Tobey, an adrift youngest son of a wealthy developer, hoping to start over following a wildfire. He conspired to steal the paintings of the second narrative focus, Di. Di is an artist from a family of free spirits and grifters whose contemporary art is deeply influenced by her life in 1980s New York. Her grandfather, Klaus, is the final character followed by the narrative. An immigrant and film director, he is sent into a spiral of disuse and frustration after being blackballed. The story is largely character driven. The plot, especially that of Tobey, seems somewhat inconsequential. It feels more like a scaffold used to tell their life stories. For those looking for a plot that moves in a linear, fast paced way, this book is much more atmospheric and may not satisfy. 

The presence of American pop culture acts as a fourth main character in the novel. A variety of major, defining 20th and 21st century movements all seem to play against the main characters, pushing and pulling them along. Silent film, the emergence of the “talkie,” Louis B Mayer, the red scare, McCarthyism, Ronald Reagan, Andy Warhol, Basquiat, cocaine, AIDS, NFTs, and Bitcoin all play starring roles in the narrative. It really felt like a litany of pop culture topics influencing the narrative. 

This novel is a solid portrait of a family deeply entrenched by the 20th and 21st century art establishment. Whether it’s making art or stealing it, it is the central conflict of almost every interaction. For people who love character pieces and have an interest in reflections on American culture, it could be a good choice. Unfortunately, the book does at time struggle with pacing, especially when splitting focus between the characters. The story can also be a little light on plot, focusing much more on building vignettes and characterization. 

3/5 stars.