Commonwealth

Save A Tree - Buy Used at Second Sale Books

By Ann Patchett

Thanks to the poor decisions of Franny and Bert, two families are torn asunder and of course the kids become the collateral damage shuttling from coast to coast. The irony of the story is that despite the new “blended family” arrangement, the kids recognize that they don’t really hold ill will towards each other but rather the idiot, selfish adults who ruined their respective families. The kids form a bond and manage to cope with their loser parents as best they can. Because it takes place in the late 1970s, the kids are afforded much more independence and freedom to be off on their own (often in hilarious yet totally believable ways for the 70s but that would get parents today thrown in jail) and thus develop relationships and a hierarchy among themselves. Again, the contrast to today’s world where the kids would be so heavily micromanaged (and over-therapied) is startling. Because they are left to their own devices, they are also left to manage their situation and to cope with their parents’ stupidity using their own resources and methods. It just seems so much better than being advised and counseled by the very adults who caused the problems in the first place. I always find it sort of ironic how the very parents who selfishly blow up the lives of their kids then feel they are in position to direct their kids’ journey through the damage. Really? Know when to say when, people.

Affiliate Links Here

Here

Here

Here