FICTION

The Barrowfields

by Phillip Lewis
368p. Crown/Hogarth. Mar. 2017. Tr $26. ISBN 9780451495648.
COPY ISBN
Henry Aster, whom readers meet in childhood and follow into young adulthood, tells the story of his family and their path of loss and dysfunction. Living in a gothic mansion high in the mountains of North Carolina, the Asters experience happiness despite a sense of looming tragedy. However, after the death of Henry's grandmother, Henry's father, a brilliant writer and lawyer, spirals into despair and depression—which Henry and the rest of the family don't know how to address. This often dark narrative examines themes such as how children deal with family responsibilities as they mature. Teens will appreciate the complexity of this work and find Henry a genuine, relatable protagonist who makes mistakes and attempts to heal childhood wounds.
VERDICT A candid novel that offers an intimate view of the effects of depression on family members, this is a must-read for fans of Pat Conroy or William Faulkner and those who enjoy Southern gothic literature.
Reviewed by April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL , Jul 01, 2017

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