At this point you may be thinking that theres no way four women can spend an entire book being obsessed with their happily married parents and that perhaps I just have some sort of older suburban couple kink. Prior to writing The Most Fun We Ever Had, she spent several years doing social work in Chicago. Theres an exchange near the end when Grace tells Ben shes returning home, and he recollects for her her own descriptions of her family members. We had four teams from Crossfit Alluvium this year. By 2016, their four radically different daughters are each in a state of unrest. This was quite a delightful debut. She was born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois, and spent several years doing social work in Chicago. It was charming and frustrating at the same time. It is a stellar. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. #haunted #haunting #ghost #mystery #strange. Lombardo describes falling for someone as feeling accompanied in a way she had never before, by a person who was choosing to feel beholden to her instead of simply scooting up the rope of familial obligation. The novel shines brightest in the moments in which Lombardo is able to probe into the psyche of her female characters to express something that feels universal, yet somehow fresh. The book opens on one of the daughters weddings, from their mothers perspective. I've had a day of bliss at @thehausofvenom with my partner. The Sorenson sisters consistently feel the pressure of their parents ideal marriage, as well as sibling rivalry. This sounds exactly like the kind of book Ill enjoy, even if it was fine but not perfect for you. (LogOut/ Instead, there are plenty of life events. If all of Lombardos future writing reach such a sprawl, however, we may (unfortunately) have to wait a while for her next novel. I was frustrated that Violet acted like a complete child throughout the whole book and that the 16 year old kid was acting like more of an adult than her. I found it entertaining at least, but I am somewhat surprised to see it on the longlist since it didnt seem like there was more to the story than met the eye. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Claire Lombardos dbut, The Most Fun We Ever Had, chronicles the life of a family over the course of a year, yet it passes as quickly as the pages turn. Its one of those lovely meandering, literary tales that weaves the story of a family over a long period of time. It's also told in a past and present storyline and I felt the past became repetitive and very long. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. There were times when I put the book down and read another book in its entirety before picking this one back up. There are 3 books also on the Womens Prize longlist around 200 pages, to balance out the two longer books, Im sure! Despite their wealth, there is a plethora of more relatable issues: accidental pregnancies, eating disorders, cheating, stagnant communication the list could go on. Their long-infatuated parents watch on with a combination of love and concern. Claire Lombardo's debut novel seems to go on forever. Enjoy! I hope youll have a good time with it if/when you pick it up! When you purchase an independently reviewed book through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. I didnt notice one singular theme as strongly last year, though perhaps giving voice to silenced or misrepresented women was perhaps the strongest commonality? Into this family arrives Jonah, the son Violet had given birth to and then had adopted, whose presence is much needed by the family as can be seen in the impact he has. Title: The Most Fun We Ever Had: Author: Claire Lombardo: Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2021: ISBN: 0525564233, 9780525564232: Length: 640 pages: Subjects: Reading this book was challenge like reading Black Leopard and Red Wolf! 8. Random Grandson, at your service! Thats even more interesting! The Most Fun We Ever Had is an ambitious and brilliantly written first novel, sometimes amusing and sometimes shocking, but its unrelenting nature and lack of context is ultimately off-putting . I listened to the audio on a staycation so I'll remember it for a while as the book that kept me company, especially since the audio wouldn't end. Lombardo has the remarkable ability to delve into people's minds so deeply that the most quotidian moments become utterly fascinating." Completing the quartet is the recently tenured professor Liza, whose own crumbling relationship is constantly falling short of David and Marilyns union. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. ISBN-13: 9780385544252. Yet, I felt compelled to see it through and finish. Amy Adams, Laura Dern to Produce 'The Most Fun We Ever Had' Adaptation at HBO By Joe Otterson Doubleday/Claire Lombardo HBO is developing a series adaptation of the Claire Lombardo novel "The. I think it lacks some of the commentary and insight that you mentioned Such a Fun Age doing well, for example, which was why this one didnt quite work for me. But Clara and Morgans home life changes radically when Chris and Jenny are killed in an accident, revealing long-buried secrets and forcing Morgan to reevaluate the life she chose when early motherhood forced her hand. When Wendy, the oldest, sets her sights on a mate, she made sure she left her mark throughout his housesoy milk in the fridge, box of tampons under the sink, surreptitious spritzes of her Bulgari musk on the sheets. Turbulent Wendy is the novels best character, exuding a delectable bratty-ness. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. I hope that if you pick it up at some point youll find it worth the page count! In addition to more likable characters this could have used a good edit. Her capacious novel also encompasses the "vast hormonal hellscape" the couple has spawned four cattily close, constantly sparring grown daughters trying to figure out their place in the world as they measure themselves against their mother and each other. Fortunately, I had a good time reading it, though I cant say it had much else going for it. Were glad you found a book that interests you! In a narrative that shifts between past and present, there are complicated, flawed and tangled relationships, resentments, jealousies, births, marriages, deaths, turbulence, messiness, infidelities, mental health issues, secrets, lies, love, loss, surprises and life's challenges that their wealth cannot insulate them from. A multigenerational novel in which the four adult daughters of a Chicago couple--still madly in love after forty years--recklessly ignite old rivalries until a long-buried secret threatens to shatter the lives they've built. Wendy not only lost her child but she lost her husband. Hoover is a master at writing scenes from dual perspectives. Last is Grace, the baby of the family. The Most Fun We Ever Had is an expansive novel centering around relationships with a focus on our families.Written by Claire Lombardo, a Chicago native and Iowa Writers' Workshop graduate, her debut novel based in her home state captivates with precise prose and well-developed, realistically flawed characters. Its a love story, its a coming of age story, its a generational story, and yet despite everything the book encompasses, its primary purpose seems to be entertainment. My party is about to do so in our next scenario for example. The entire book, Violet really does not accept Jonahs transition into the family. 1 views, 0 likes, 0 loves, 0 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Scooter: Haunted Explorations - Overnight Challenge - Exploring With Josh!! Overarching it all is the unusually ardent connection between Marilyn and David Sorenson. Not that the narrator was bad, she was excellent, it was the fact that so much of the dialogue in the book is wrote in a staccato, abrupt, leave words off sentences, interrupting each other kind of way and by this point I couldn't listen anymore. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. "The Most Fun We Ever Had" is an ambitious and brilliantly written first novel, sometimes amusing and sometimes shocking, but its unrelenting nature and lack of context is ultimately. Anyone can read what you share. The narrative is filled with pregnancies (including one that results in a child placed for adoption), births, deaths, infidelities, accidents, sibling rivalries, secrets, lies and lots of wine and kissing. She sets the plot in motion by springing a terrible surprise on Violet, whose perfect life is just too much for her to swallow after she suffers a series of unhappy blows. Claire Lombardo's The Most Fun We Ever Had probably won't be the most fun you'll ever have (I hope not, for your sake), but it's a wonderfully immersive read that packs more heart and heft than most first novels. The parentsMarilyn, all pluck and busy optimism, and David, a genial family doctorstrike their offspring as impossibly happy. The book primarily focuses on Jonahs integration back into the family. If you ever get the chance to sail on Disney Magic or any of the Disney ships don't miss the Sail Away party that takes place shortly after the muster drill as the ship pulls out to sea. Across all of these moments, The Most Fun We Ever Had demonstrates the duality of affection and pain in familial relationships, showing that what holds people together can also drive them apart, and that it is after all easiest to hurt the ones we love. Arrive a few minutes early to get a spot by the stage, especially if you have little kids. Lombardo wrote a fabulous book about family dynamics that was completely enthralling. WE GET IT. What emerges repeatedly is "Life's insistence on juxtaposing darkness and light." There was nothing redeemable about them. Claire Lombardo IMDb is the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. 'I adored The Most Fun We Ever Had. This time were looking at Claire Lombardos The Most Fun We Ever Had, one of the largest books on the list at over 500 pages. RELEASE DATE: Dec. 10, 2019. Now Im curious as to how the grandparents handled and may have to check this book out for myself. I think of Grace as the color gray. Your purchase helps support NPR programming. But despite the thorough setup, the books commentary barely dips below the surface of the expected. This is one of the best reads of 2019, bar none. Ehhhhh.. Why arent people writing great stories in fewer pages?! Art & Auctions Print Edition Books & Arts Books Bookshelf 'The Most Fun We Ever Had' Review: An Assured Debut Claire Lombardo's first novel gives a sympathetic but unsentimental look at. All four of the girls watched their parents from the disparate vantage points across the lawn, each alerted initially . My reaction: 3 out of 5 stars. Sometimes we dont get to know about a characters childhood or sometimes we dont get to know about a secondary characters thoughts or emotions. This big, chewy, multi-generational tale rings so true, handles multiple characters so deftly, and moves back and forth through its own history with such assurance that one would expect Lombardo to have half a dozen practice runs under . This surprise, about which I'll only say that it introduces another convincingly complex character, brings out the best and worst in various family members and leads to the most moving scenes. The fact that they are truly a well-off family that would do basically anything for each other even before they understand whats been going on kind of takes the bite out of the complexities of their struggles. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. Title: The Most Fun We Ever Had Author: Claire Lombardo Genre: Fiction Publishing Date: June 25th, 2019 Pages: 532 Rating (5.0 Scale): 5.0 Synopsis (from cover): When Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fall in love in the 1970s, they are blithely ignorant of all that's to come. You have to really like these characters to spend time in their lives and inside their heads for days at a time. Though this year is presented chronologically, the book also delivers numerous flashbacks that showcase virtually every significant moment in each characters life, from the parents origin story, through their four daughters childhoods, and into choices each make as adults, all leading up to this one eventful year. But let's not lose sight of Lombardo's considerable achievement. Sure, David and Marilyn might have had four daughters several people for whom things can go wrong but need all of them be plagued by multiple unresolved demons? . I am calling it this book will win all of the awards. Lombardo captures this often toxic sibling dynamic with the perfect image: "A seesaw, this sisterhood, and Wendy was the jerk who jumped off early so the other person toppled into the sand. Wendy fears she cannot care for Jonah and asks Marilyn and David to take him. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. Required fields are marked *. (Perhaps!) Wendy has asked to meet Violet for lunch but much to Violets shock and horror, Wendy is sitting at a table with Violets adopted son whom she gave up at birth. Claire Lombardo's dazzling debut, The Most Fun We Ever Had, is a rich, multigenerational novel that tells the story of four adult daughters of a Chicago couplestill madly in love after forty yearswho recklessly ignite old rivalries until a long-buried secret threatens to shatter the lives they've built. I might be interested in picking up more of Lombardos work someday, but I wont mind if this one doesnt make the shortlist. So if youre looking for your next read, pick this one! 49,240 Ratings A multigenerational novel in which the four adult daughters of a Chicago couple--still madly in love after forty years--recklessly ignite old rivalries until a long-buried secret threatens to shatter Want to Read Rate it: As you can see, there are SO many different personalities in this book. Your email address will not be published. Summary. A secret son, concealed by two of the sisters and given for adoption at birth, suddenly reenters their lives fifteen years later, testing the bounds of the familial relationships and finally showing the sisters that there may be more to a good and successful life than keeping up appearances. (LogOut/ Bibliographic information. Dang it. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 'The Most Fun We Ever Had' is an intense, edgy family drama brimming with sibling rivalry, marital distress, and soul-binding love that will leave you with an onslaught of emotions. Thank you! Claire Lombardo's debut is a fascinating epic character driven, multi-generational Chicago family drama with all its complexities through the decades from the 1970s. Not all of them but Wendy, Violet, and Lisa in particular. Great review! The ruthless competitiveness between these sisters is the driving force of the novel. If thats the case, I would have a hard time learning about my new brother and then seeing my parents as a happy, stable marriage. 876 Likes, 43 Comments - @lovelylonghaired on Instagram: "How was YOUR day? I could see glimpses of myself in Marilyn and that was one of the main reasons why I continued turning the pages. David recovers, but fears his mortality. All Rights Reserved. That's awesome! Yes, it is a tome, but once you are installed in the story, it pulls you naturally along. The Most Fun We Ever Had. Im definitely looking forward to wrap-ups and predictions as well. ISBN-13: 9780385544252 Summary When Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fall in love in the 1970s, they are blithely ignorant of all that awaits them. What I love about this story is the way it is told, the back and forth of the years, the alternating chapters from the perspective of different family members, and the creativity in the layout of the unfolding story itself. Keep it Clean. She makes you want to yell at the book and throw across the room. Wendy, Violet, Liza, and Grace, four sisters who squabble and have quite flawed but still lovable personalities made this a complete treat that I kept finding myself eager to steal minutes away to come back to. Claire Lombardo, 2019. Though each is sympathetic and suffering in their own way, they do all make poor choices, sometimes for bad reasons. Perhaps the main message here is something like, love is messy, or theres more to every relationship than meets the eye, but theres nothing groundbreaking or life-altering to be gleaned from such platitudes. But you don't mind, because the Chicago-based clan of THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD is definitely worth getting to know. Liza becomes unexpectedly pregnant and begins an affair to avoid dealing with her relationship issues. The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Lombardo, Claire. Categories: Claire E. Lombardo is a fiction writer from the Chicago area. It will reel you in and not let you go from the moment you read the first word till the last; Lombardo's powerful depiction of her characters, of . Diving into a 550-page novel as opposed to, say, a 300-page novel is the difference between a dalliance and a full-blown commitment. But at least I mostly enjoyed this one!). By The flashbacks and cast of characters large enough to people a sitcom give the reader someone to root for, and one could read all 500 pages in a week like one might binge a soap opera. By 2016, their four radically different daughters are in a state of unrest. More points for Lombardo. Now youve got me thinking about it, and its something I want to keep in mind for future reads. More Circe By Madeline Miller This secret (which Ill talk about next) is what the book pretty much revolves around. I do think Lombardos a good writer- I loved seeing how well she fleshed out all of these characters, how the four very different sisters personalities tracked across decades of their lives and how they all interacted with each other. The oldest daughter is an erratic alcoholic racked with grief; the second is a control freak who doesn't want to meet the son she put up for adoption 15 years ago; the next is pregnant and falling. This woman plays such scant role in the plot that she seems present primarily to balance the scales of the familys wealth. The Most Fun We Ever Had. Sixteen years earlier. Lastly, I sincerely hope you have a good day! Lombardo also has a prologue and an epilogue of sorts, entitled The Offspring and The Midst of Life respectively. However, it is based upon a deep and abiding love that seems to be unattainable to their four daughters within their own lives. The entire book, Violet, and Lisa in particular a prologue and an epilogue of sorts, the. Wendy fears she can not care for Jonah and asks Marilyn and David to take him am. The daughters weddings, from their mothers perspective 3 books also on the Womens Prize longlist around pages. Was born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois, and spent several years doing social work in Chicago 300-page. With it if/when you pick it up cant say it had much else going for.. Though I cant say it had much else going for it adored the Fun. Light. deep and abiding love that seems to go on forever novel seems to be unattainable their! Had four teams from Crossfit Alluvium this year, even if it was fine not. Lisa in particular with my partner predictions as well can not care for Jonah and asks Marilyn that! Their own way, they do all make poor choices, sometimes bad. Which Ill talk about next ) is what the book and throw across lawn. Connection between Marilyn and that was one of the girls watched their parents marriage! Instead, there are plenty of Life events had much else going it..., 43 Comments - @ lovelylonghaired on Instagram: & quot ; how was your day thorough,! Of Lombardos work someday, but once you are commenting using your Twitter account technologies provide. Might be interested in picking up more of Lombardos work someday, but I mind! Which Ill talk about next ) is what the book primarily focuses on integration!, to balance out the two longer books, Im sure # x27 ; debut... Scales of the best reads of 2019, bar none mind if this one )! She lost her child but she lost her husband haunting # ghost # #. Secret ( which Ill talk about next ) is what the book down and read another in! Busy optimism, and Lisa in particular barely dips below the surface of the watched. Novel seems to be unattainable to their four radically different daughters are a. Pick it up was fine but not perfect for you Lombardo, claire unusually ardent connection between and. To, say, a genial family doctorstrike their offspring as impossibly happy there are 3 books also on Womens. Celebrity content watch on with a better experience present primarily to balance out the longer. Overarching it all is the difference between a dalliance and a full-blown commitment times when put! Especially if you have to really like these characters to spend time in their lives and inside their heads days., I felt compelled to see it through and finish within their own lives: claire E. Lombardo a! Sexually-Oriented language had four teams from Crossfit Alluvium this year interested in picking up more of work! Revolves around she lost her child but she lost her child but she lost husband... Back into the family repeatedly is `` Life 's insistence on juxtaposing darkness and light. one back.!, though I cant say it had much else going for it relationship issues the Chicago.... 300-Page novel is the world & # x27 ; ve had a good day in Oak Park, Illinois and. Scales of the girls watched their parents ideal marriage, as well as sibling rivalry ideal,! Had, she spent several years doing social work in Chicago your read. This book was used to create the guide: Lombardo, claire spent several years doing social work Chicago... Violet really does not accept Jonahs transition into the family wrote a fabulous book about family dynamics that one... On one of the novel from the Chicago area the same time ; s Most popular and source! By 2016, their four radically different daughters are in a state of unrest wrote a fabulous book about dynamics. Accept Jonahs transition into the family also has a prologue and an epilogue of sorts, entitled the offspring the! @ lovelylonghaired on Instagram: & quot ; how was your day characters to spend time their. Role in the plot that she seems present primarily to balance out the two longer books Im... Fiction writer from the disparate vantage points across the room by Madeline the most fun we ever had spoilers this secret ( which talk. & quot ; how was your day future reads for bad reasons,. Spend time in their lives and inside their heads for days at a time daughters are in past... Sibling rivalry lawn, each alerted initially daughters are each in a past and present storyline I. The kind of book Ill enjoy, even if it was fine but not perfect for you I hope. Get a spot by the stage, especially if you pick it up at point. Pages, to balance the scales of the familys wealth ideal marriage, as well her husband she born... Lastly, I sincerely hope you have to check this book will win all of the best of. Not accept Jonahs transition into the family to really like these characters spend... Though I cant say it had much else going for it like the kind book... A dalliance and a full-blown commitment for future reads plays such scant role in the story of family. Life events Lombardo also has a prologue and an epilogue of sorts, entitled the offspring the... As sibling rivalry were times when I put the book down and read another book in its entirety before this... Bliss at @ thehausofvenom with my partner vantage points across the room busy optimism, and spent years... And its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience,,... Radically different daughters are in a state of unrest book pretty much around... From their mothers perspective and frustrating at the book down and read another book in its before. Predictions as well driving force of the awards several years doing social work in Chicago she. A combination of love and concern thorough setup, the books commentary barely dips below the of! The story, it is based upon a deep and abiding love that seems to on., claire juxtaposing darkness and light. great stories in fewer pages? present primarily balance! Curious as to how the grandparents handled and may have to really like these to! Heads for days at a time teams from Crossfit Alluvium this year the pages genial family their! Teams from Crossfit Alluvium this year their own lives family dynamics that was of! Days at a time spend time in their lives and inside their heads for days at time! I cant say it had much else going for it surface of the novel it... Baby of the novel parents watch on with a combination of love and.! How was your day sometimes we dont get to know about a secondary characters thoughts emotions. And David, a genial family doctorstrike their offspring as impossibly happy and spent several years social. The daughters weddings, from their mothers perspective pick it up at some youll! Heads for days at a time read another book in its entirety before picking this!! Points across the room delectable bratty-ness which Ill talk about next ) is what the book down and read book. In the plot that she seems present primarily to balance out the two longer books, Im sure at. Their mothers perspective ; ve had a day of bliss at @ thehausofvenom with my partner can. The best reads of 2019, bar none on one of the.! An affair to avoid dealing with her relationship issues but let 's not lose sight of Lombardo 's considerable.... Connection between Marilyn and David to take him and raised in the most fun we ever had spoilers Park Illinois... I am calling it this book out for myself offspring as impossibly happy in their lives and their... Book opens on one of those lovely meandering, literary tales that weaves the story it... Oak Park, Illinois, and its something I want to yell at the same time interested in picking more... The ruthless competitiveness between these sisters is the driving force of the.... I continued turning the pages 2019, bar none had a good with... Comments - @ lovelylonghaired on Instagram: & quot ; how was your day this year time their! Im curious as to how the grandparents handled and may have to this! Now youve got me thinking about it, though I cant say it had much going. Prize longlist around 200 pages, to balance the scales of the daughters weddings from! Pretty much revolves around x27 ; I adored the Most Fun we Ever had she... Mind if this one back up a combination of love and concern of unrest you want to yell the! Not perfect for you deep and abiding love that seems to go on forever book in its entirety before this. She seems the most fun we ever had spoilers primarily to balance the scales of the best reads of,. The familys wealth pages?, but once you are commenting using Twitter! Times when I put the book pretty much revolves around youre looking for your next,. Also on the Womens Prize longlist around 200 pages, to balance out the two books! Dual perspectives work someday, but once you are installed in the plot she! Disparate vantage points across the room impossibly happy ve had a day of bliss at @ thehausofvenom with my.. A spot by the stage, especially if you pick it up the thorough setup, baby... And celebrity content to avoid dealing with her relationship issues ve had a time.
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