This is a very entertaining and at the same time, very profound book about family life in all of its dysfunction, distorted motives and disguised deeds of love. This book both made me laugh and made me think and even made me want to underline, but I was listening to it on CD.
This is the story of 3 adult siblings who are bequeathed their Re onstruction era mansion home, along with 1/4 of the maanson's value to be given to the ACLU. Neither Mordeca (who left home when he was 14), Corlis (the only daughter who now returns "home" after living many years in London) and Truman (the baby of the family who has selflessly (or maybe not so selfishly) sacrificed all to stay in the home he loves with his wife and his "quirky" mother until she died) are at the center of the story. Neither of them can afford to buy the other siblings out, but must they form alliances of two against one in order to keep the house. If so, which two against which one. Then there's the ACLU to be paid their share.
Every member of this family, dead or still living, is a study in normal and abnormal family life. Lioneel Shriver has written a great book about a family in all its shades, tints and tones and the roles each person plays in family drama. I laughed out loud and I felt the character's struggles. This book made me think and exposed some things in my own life. It's a really good book!!