ABANDONED. novel based on analysis of some family photographs

[Tom]

Trying to remember the title of a book I read in the '70's or '80's. The novel took a small number of family group portraits, and from the details in the photographs, built written portraits of the families, and of the backstories of the people in the photos. There may have been a number in the title, six? Just not sure. What was really special about the book is that it makes you realize how important details can be, and that taking the time to notice those details is really worth it. The book forever changed the way I took at photographs and at the world. Would love to find the title, and find a copy of the book, to see if it's all I remember….

[Kris]

Is this a contemporary or historical novel for adults?
Are there many photos in the book, like a family album or portrait gallery?
Is it about one family or many generations of the same family?
Where is the family from, their background, big events, etc.?

[LauraW]

I am thinking about The Pictures of Hollis Woods, but the description doesn't seem to quite match what I remember.

[Tom]

Thanks for the try…I just check out a review of TPoHW, and it's not a match. Each chapter of the book I'm thinking of has a family photograph as a lead-in. Then each chapter finely dissects the image and the relationships between the family members.

[Kris]

A long shot - Granta 37: The Family? This is a literary magazine with photos and short stories about dysfunctional families.

[Tom]

What I remember is one book by a single author, not multiple authors.

[``Laurie]

The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields ?

[Tom]

Alas, no. The book focuses on family relationships, rather than on a single individual.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Tom, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Kris]

No response, moving to Abandoned folder.

Tom (OP) was last active on the site in October 2014.