Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg

After reading the blurb on the book I came close to placing it back on the shelf as it sounded too grim however I would have missed a gem of a book which hooked me right from the start  and had me wanting to know more about the people and their relationships.

The rich and beautiful June witnesses her house burning down killing her entire family.  The dead are June's much younger boyfriend, her ex husband, her daughter and her daughters fiance, the fire occurring early in the morning of the day that the wedding of her daughter is due to take place.

Following the funerals June leaves the small American town where she was living and drives west.
Each chapter is narrated by a different character including among them June's boyfriends mother, the owners of the motel where June finally ends up, the motel cleaner and the wedding caterers etc.

There are moving passages of writing in this book which is quietly hopeful and it is not surprising it was long listed for the Man Booker prize.  This novel could appeal to readers who like books that are more character than plot driven and could be a good choice for a book club also as there is much to discuss about families, loss and forgiveness.        

Catalogue link: Did You Ever Have a Family

Posted by VT