Title: Wish You Were Here Author: Stewart O'Nan type of book: Fiction call number: Fic

This book is strong in character, story, language and setting.

Summary:
Nine members of the extended Maxwell family spend a final week at their family summer house at Chautauqua, NY. We become intimately familiar with each person. Now that her husband, Henry, is dead, Emily Maxwell, the matriarch of the clan, is selling the cottage. Emily and her sister-in-law, Arlene, drive up together from Pittsburgh for a last summer visit; Emily's son, Ken, and his wife, Lise, come next with their two children; and finally Emily's daughter, Meg, and Meg's son and daughter arrive.

Emily's disappointment in her children prompts them to assess their lives themselves. Meg, a recovering alcoholic, is in the middle of a divorce. Kenneth is a failed photographer, whose latest low-paying job is in a photo lab. Ken's wife Lise dislikes Emily, and is jealous of Ken and Meg's closeness. The children have their own issues, just as fully explored. Now that the papers are signed, Emily feels betrayed that Arlene, Ken and Meg want her to keep the retreat in the family, in spite of their financial inability to help her.

I would recommend this book!

Why?
This is a wonderful book. Small details of each character's thoughts and actions (even the children) are enhanced with great writing. There is no big climactic story arc, and like most families, no one is the hero or villain, and every word and action ring true.

I have vacationed at Chautauqua several times. O'Nan has his characters visit places I recall fondly, which made reading this even more enjoyable.

Employee Initials: Review Date: August 2005

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