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A review by michellekmartin
Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty by Ramona Ausubel
4.0
Read this book if you love Helen Oyeyemi! For real, Ramona Ausubel's writing reminds me so much of that style: a little dark, a little strange, kind of dreamy, and all around wonderful.
Set in New England (yay!), it follows a young family and what happens when their life loses its luster after they discover they have no money left. The story switches perspective, and years, going from the wife, husband, and children. We start in current day (1976) and then alternate between current day and getting back story on how the husband and wife met and their family history. In this way, the book read a little like short stories. There were many stories within the larger story, which I really enjoyed. I had previously read Awayland by her and I would suggest starting there if you are unfamiliar with her work.
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The book explored themes of motherhood, family, growing old, what it means when family money comes from a time when people did bad things, and how we try to distinguish ourselves from our parents. And all of it was in Ausubel's signature style. ⠀
Set in New England (yay!), it follows a young family and what happens when their life loses its luster after they discover they have no money left. The story switches perspective, and years, going from the wife, husband, and children. We start in current day (1976) and then alternate between current day and getting back story on how the husband and wife met and their family history. In this way, the book read a little like short stories. There were many stories within the larger story, which I really enjoyed. I had previously read Awayland by her and I would suggest starting there if you are unfamiliar with her work.
⠀
The book explored themes of motherhood, family, growing old, what it means when family money comes from a time when people did bad things, and how we try to distinguish ourselves from our parents. And all of it was in Ausubel's signature style. ⠀