“Reading fictionalized accounts about the dysfunctions of other families often makes me feel a little better about my own. When done well, I also feel a greater connection to the story because I can relate to it. Jessica Anya Blau excels at making her bizarre family relatable and likeable, even when they’re not really. Her latest novel (her first was also excellent, The Summer of Naked Swim Parties) tells the stories of three siblings who return home when one of their parents becomes ill, and chapters alternate between their viewpoints in the past and the present. Every member of the family remembers the past a little differently, but ultimately there are things that bring them together, such as learning the importance of drinking closer to home. It was the kind of story I devoured quickly, and then I desperately wanted more.”—Pamela, Grass Roots Books & Music, Corvallis
Face Out
Drinking Closer to Home by Jessica Anya Blau
June 2, 2011