At this time of year we usually begin to prepare to spend holidays with family. For some, this is something to look forward to; for others, it can be stress-inducing. One thing is certain, families are complicated, no matter who you are related to.
Last year, I wrote a post about cozy books that celebrate the close-knit family. This year, I am highlighting some books that show an all-together different side of family life – the dysfunctional family. These stories celebrate family in a completely different way from my first list. They celebrate resiliency, forgiveness, strength, and human weakness in the characters. While I love the cozy close-knit family books, I also love reading about these “more real” families. Because after all, there is a certain level of dysfunction in every family!
Here is a list of 6 books that show family dysfunction at its worst, and may even make you feel better about your own!
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The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Leni’s father comes home from the Vietnam War a changed man. His paranoia leads him and his family to the wild solitude of Alaska. Leni’s mom, desperate to do what she can to keep her family together, tries to make the best of a bad situation, but things get worse as winter draws near and the nights get longer. Will the family survive the wilds of the frontier and the growing mania of a sick man? My favorite book of 2018, this story celebrates Leni’s resiliency and resourcefulness in a terrible situation.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
This book portrays a prominent Ohio family, the Richardsons, and their struggle to maintain their appearance of perfection as things spiral out of control. Elena Richardson prides herself on her beautiful home, her perfect family and her generosity to the less fortunate. But worlds collide when her hired help, Mia, goes against her publicly. And her children take Mia’s side. This book is family dysfunction wrapped up in a beautiful suburban mirage. It’s also a Hulu series, starring my favorites, Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. If you haven’t seen it, make sure you put it on your binge TV list for the holidays!
A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum
In part 1 of this book, Isra is an 18 year old Palestinian immigrant that moved to New York City with her new husband, Adam, to start their married life together. It’s not at all what she thought it was going to be. Her mother-in-law is ruthless and treats her with contempt as Isra provides only female children. Adam, also plagued by his mother’s constant demands, begins drinking and then becomes abusive towards Isra. Isra spirals into a depression that she cannot pull herself out of.
Part 2 of the book begins with Deya, Isra’s oldest daughter and depicts how she, American born, sees her future differently than her mother. Her grandmother, however, does not think things have changed. Will Deya’s fate mirror her mother’s?
This book is a grim depiction of abuse and hopelessness, but also of the resiliency and strength that it takes to break free from it.
Educated by Tara Westover
This book is a memoir of Tara, who chronicles her childhood growing up isolated in the mountains with her survivalist parents. Her family did not believe in modern medicine, education or anything else that would have them engaging with other people. Tara grew up growing her own food, curing illnesses and injuries with herbs grown on the mountain and teaching herself how to read and how to learn. Dysfunction stems from mental illness in this book that leaves the children in this family to fend for themselves. Tara’s story is a tribute to the human spirit and her desire to never give up or settle for less.
The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLeanWeir
When teenage reality show star Essie Hicks gets pregnant, the family is thrown into a whirlwind. How will this affect the ratings when her father is the best known evangelical minister in the country? Meetings are called, producers brought in and discussions ensue about how to curtail the disaster, with little to no consideration of what this all means for Essie. And while the family tries to bulldoze her for the sake of the show, Essie comes up with a plan all her own. This book depicts family dysfunction at its worst, but don’t count out Essie yet!
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
