This new novel is about a dysfunctional family in New Orleans that is teetering on destruction. The main character, Hailey, is a high school girl who is trying to find her place in her own family as well is in the world. Her mother is a born-again Christian who has sunk into a great depression since her recent miscarriage and refuses to leave her bed. Hailey's father was laid off from work for over five months and spends his days at the pool hall and his unemployment checks at the horse races. Last, is Hailey's older brother who has been arrested multiple times and hangs out with a seedy gang. The only positive role model that Hailey has is an African-American woman that Hailey helps after school. Still, there is little that this woman can do to help Hailey and her sinking family.
Overall, the novel is a look at urban life which includes religion, drugs, sex, and violence. However, it never comes off as cliched. The writing is as gritty and raw as the characters and setting. The characters are tragic and the reader can feel that everything is barreling towards something terrible. Still, there are some flaws such as Hailey seems a bit immature for a high school student and the conclusion is a bit unpolished. However, these issues should not deter any readers. In fact, this novel can easily be read in one-sitting and (when done so) is even more powerful! Personally, I would recommend this book to any lover of novels set in New Orleans or stories about the rotting away of a family.
-DLP
No comments:
Post a Comment