Commonwealth by Ann Patchett - 3 stars

[ShazM]

At Franny's christening party Theresa Cousins' husband Bert meets Fix Keating's wife Beverley and the rest is history, as they say. The story is largely told from the view point of Franny Keating many years later when her father is dying of cancer and looks back at the blended family and the development of the Cousins and Keating children. What really happened to Cal and why is Albie the way he is?

I had high hopes of this because I really enjoyed Bel Canto but although it was easy to read I didn't find this particularly absorbing and for quite a lot of the time I didn't really know what was going on. All of the characters were likeable enough but I didn't come to care much about any of them so just a three from me.

[Susan]

Thanks for reviewing this one. I found it pretty low key (maybe why you weren't absorbed by it?) and yet, I was drawn in --so much that I had myself convinced it was autobiographical and ended up chasing through rabbit holes to try to learn if it was. Patchett's mother was asked this question and said something like: none of it happened and all of it is true. I love that description of fiction!

[ShazM]

Susan wrote: "Thanks for reviewing this one. I found it pretty low key (maybe why you weren't absorbed by it?) and yet, I was drawn in --so much that I had myself convinced it was autobiographical and ended up c..."

I have heard the idea that if someone can think it up then it must have happened somewhere, sometime. Which is a bit scary when it comes to thrillers!