Pros: Interesting to read about a family more dysfunctional than mine!
Cons: Short and left you wanting to know more.
The Bottom Line: If you are looking for a quick read that will entertain you for a couple of hours without deeply involving you, read Belva Plain's Homecoming.
Belva Plain is one of my favorite authors, so when I saw the book Homecoming at the book sale this weekend I grabbed it with glee and high expectations. For the first time I have been disappointed in one of her books. Now granted, I haven't read every book she's published, so maybe I'm being too harsh.
It wasn't a complete waste of time. I curled up in the corner of the couch with a blanket, pillow, three cats, cocoa and this book. I sat listening to the wind howl outside as I spent 3 hours reading about the dysfunctional Byrne family.
Each chapter of the first half of the book talked about a different wing of the Byrne family and explained a little bit about why they were in turmoil within their own lives or amongst each other.
I suppose I should be completely honest and say that I do prefer thick books. The more pages the better, as far as I'm concerned. With only 212 pages (hardcover) I was left wanting more and looking to see if she wrote anything else about this family (she didn't as far as I can find).
The characters were great, enjoyable, and could have given lots for the author to write about. They seemed to lack depth and detail. It was like meeting someone on a long train trip, talking the entire way, making plans to keep in touch and never hearing from them again.
Annette Byrne is the family matriarch who secretly invites her warring family out to her home in the country hoping to reunite them all with the help of her friend Marian, and her housekeeper/cook Jennifer.
Gene Byrne is the oldest son. He's a widower who spent too much time at odds with his brother and his daughter.
Ellen is Gene's daughter. When she married Mark it was against her fathers wishes. They remained estranged up to the birth of her first child at which time the frost begins to thaw, but not completely as Gene strongly dislikes Mark's Jewish family.
Lewis Byrne, married to Daisy, is Gene's brother. They were in business together until a disastrous event pitted brother against brother. Their daughter is Cynthia.
Cynthia and her husband Andrew are separated following a tragic accident. Annette invites both of them for the weekend, and Cynthia feels it was the ultimate family betrayal.
Mark's parents, Aaron and Brenda, are a kind couple who add a little bit of humor and 'real people' to this book.
While attending the weekend gathering things happen that bring the family closer together, mending fences. Family grudges melt away and admiration for one another is discovered.
While this is not the first book I would recommend of Belva Plaines' Homecoming is not the last book I would recommend either. If you are going to need something to read to pass a few hours time that you won't get too immersed in you will enjoy the trials, tribulations, and reunion of the Byrne family.
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