Little Cruelties
Fiction
Gallery/Scout Press
November 10, 2020
Hardcover
352
Purchased
This story begins with a funeral. One of three brothers is dead, mourned by his siblings. But which one? And how? And, most importantly: why?
William, Brian, and Luke are each born a year apart in a lower middle class Catholic family in 1960s Dublin. William, the eldest, rises to the top of the heap in the film industry as a successful movie producer. Luke, the baby of the family, surprises everyone by morphing into a worldwide pop star. Brian, the compliant middle son, is the eternal adult in the room: the helpful, steady one, the manager of finances and careers.
But none of them is actually quite what he seems. Wounded by childhood, they have betrayed one another in myriad ways, hiding behind little lies that have developed into full blown treachery. With an unnerving eye for the complexities of families, Nugent delves into the secret life of a deeply troubled household and provides stunning insights into the many forces that shape us from childhood.
Liz Nugent’s new work of fiction follows three working class Irish brothers, and delves into the many ways families can wreak emotional havoc across generations.
My reviews:
I was nervous going into this one because I had read some not so favorable reviews from fellow bloggers. I decided to forge ahead since dysfunctional family stories are my JAM. My hunch was correct on this one, I loved it! From the time they are children, these three brothers were always doing typical mean brotherly things to each other. But as they grow older, the stakes get way higher in the mean game. Of course we get to delve into the family history to try to discover the why of their behavior. The story is written in three sections, with each brother narrating his own section, so some of the stories we are privy to more than once, but with a new perspective depending on the opinion of who is telling it. I can see why this might get tedious for some readers, but I thought it was fascinating seeing the different viewpoints. You do have to wait until the very end to find out which brother dies, but even the circumstance behind his death was shocking! I thought the characters were really well drawn, even some of the supplemental ones of the mother, daughter, and various love interests. Lots of family drama to unpack in this one! If I had to pick one thing that bothered me it would be the variable timelines within each brother's section. I'm glad I was reading rather than listening because I could make note of the year with each chapter break.
If you are a fan of dysfunctional family dramas, you must pick up this intense look at three brothers lives, and the damage they caused to themselves, each other, and others along the way.
