Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina opens with this –
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
And aren’t readers glad that Tolstoy is correct because such families make for great stories.
This week’s top ten, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is favourite books in a particular setting – I’ve chosen families as my theme (and also cleverly managed to put Tolstoy and Sister Sledge in the same post. I know, brilliant)..
So, play that funky beat and browse this list of the best books about families dealing with their share of unhappiness –
1. The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg – siblings, parents, funny.
2. And God Created the Au Pair by Pascale Smets and Benedicte Newland – sisters, funny, sad.
3. Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving – fathers and sons, sad (there will be tears).
4. Little Known Facts by Christine Sneed – siblings, parents, funny.
5. A Thousand Pardons by Jonathan Dee (but also check out The Privileges) – marriage, funny.
6. The Forrests by Emily Perkins – siblings, beautiful writing.
7. Man and Boy by Tony Parsons – fathers and sons, funny, sad.
8. Of a Boy by Sonya Hartnett – parents, grandparents, kids, heartbreakingly sad.
9. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers – siblings, funny, sad (more tears).
10. This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper – siblings, parents, funny, sad (cue those tears again).
And an honourable mention to Things We Need by Jennifer Close. It’s a new release – I started it yesterday and so far, I’m loving it.
