Family Values: A Novel

by Lawrence David, Karolina Harris (Designer), Carin Goldberg (Designer)

The Wallaces seem the perfect family--successful father, beautiful mother, five handsome children--but beneath the storybook exterior lurks a legacy of anger and resentment

271 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 1993

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at the Dollar Store! I loved the cover. Since I grew up in the 50's and 60's could relate to the picture. Our family was not like the Wallaces... at least I don't think! In a time when parents thought little about what children need, different parenting styles, being "in tune" as parents, Sandy and Dean try to just get through the day without being overrun or killed! by one of their 5 children. Sandy is a "housewife" and an increasingly unhappy one. So the book touches on the very limited choices women had at that time. Dean goes to work and wants a home cooked meal. He insists they are a "happy" family though the children verbally and physically abuse one another and sometimes - no, often - their parents. Only Sandy eventually thinks of seeking professional help and that only lasts for half a session when Dean finds out they have problems it will take at least 2 years to fix! The book alternates between jaw dropping interactions and hilarious, clueless day-to-day family encounters. I thought it would be ho-hum, then couldn't turn pages fast enough!
I will be reading David's other novel, Need.

[Crystal Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad reflection on how growing up in the 50's through 70's was traumatic and somewhat bizarre.