We Were the Mulvaneys (Oprah's Book Club)
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
1 journaler for this copy...
Purchased from the new Family Christian Center thrift shop at 532 Higuera St in San Luis Obispo yesterday.
The Mulvaneys were a family in every sense of the word. They worked on their farm together, had nicknames for each other, supported each other. A close-knit farm family of two parents, Corinne and Michael John, three sons - Mike, Patrick, Judd, and one daughter, Marianne, they were tight in a storybook kind of way.
Until Valentine's Day 1976, when sweet, thoughtful Marianne has an experience that changes everything. All right, I will give it away (but perhaps you would guess early anyway) - she is raped.
Immediately she is herself ashamed and embarrassed and does not talk about it. When the truth finally comes out it almost seems like the closeness of her family works against her. They were powerless to prevent what happened. To Michael "Senior" it is unforgivable that he did not protect his daughter, that he had no way to make amends, and ultimately he cannot look at her without feeling remorse and self-hate. He takes it out on her.
Marianne moves away. The sons are thrown against their parents, wanting revenge but not saying so directly. Little by little the family disintegrates and they are no longer "the Mulvaneys".
The story is told mostly by the youngest, Judd, but many chapters seem to be told from the omniscient point of view. They are, presumably, re-constructions by Judd. Through these eyes we get to know each of the family members to some extent. We take bumpy rides with each of them, each trying to deal with the tragedy in a different way. Corinne keeps up a brave front, always putting her best foot forward and casting events in a positive light. Michael Sr. becomes increasingly unavailable, even takes to drink. Michael Jr heads off to the military, while Patrick plots revenge on the rapist.
Bit by bit we share the family's experience through the next several years, seeing how each resolves the conflicts inside him or her. I wanted more from Marianne, wanted to get inside her more. I wanted Corinne to stop being Pollyanna. I felt a bit of a distance from all of them.
In the end, however, I had the sense that what was left of the family still was, in an important way, "the Mulvaneys".
Until Valentine's Day 1976, when sweet, thoughtful Marianne has an experience that changes everything. All right, I will give it away (but perhaps you would guess early anyway) - she is raped.
Immediately she is herself ashamed and embarrassed and does not talk about it. When the truth finally comes out it almost seems like the closeness of her family works against her. They were powerless to prevent what happened. To Michael "Senior" it is unforgivable that he did not protect his daughter, that he had no way to make amends, and ultimately he cannot look at her without feeling remorse and self-hate. He takes it out on her.
Marianne moves away. The sons are thrown against their parents, wanting revenge but not saying so directly. Little by little the family disintegrates and they are no longer "the Mulvaneys".
The story is told mostly by the youngest, Judd, but many chapters seem to be told from the omniscient point of view. They are, presumably, re-constructions by Judd. Through these eyes we get to know each of the family members to some extent. We take bumpy rides with each of them, each trying to deal with the tragedy in a different way. Corinne keeps up a brave front, always putting her best foot forward and casting events in a positive light. Michael Sr. becomes increasingly unavailable, even takes to drink. Michael Jr heads off to the military, while Patrick plots revenge on the rapist.
Bit by bit we share the family's experience through the next several years, seeing how each resolves the conflicts inside him or her. I wanted more from Marianne, wanted to get inside her more. I wanted Corinne to stop being Pollyanna. I felt a bit of a distance from all of them.
In the end, however, I had the sense that what was left of the family still was, in an important way, "the Mulvaneys".
Reserved for release soon.
Journal Entry 4 by jlautner at Joe Mommas in Avila Beach, California USA on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Left on the shelf.
