The Antiques

A week in the life of the dysfunctional Westfall family. Elder parents, George and Ana, grown children Josef, Charlie (daughter) and Armie, all scattered and living their own lives. As I started to read, I thought I would not enjoy this book and was sure I'd stop at the end of the chapter. But it was tantalizing enough that I read another chapter and then became invested in the characters, although I really didn't care for any of the children. Anyway, Dad dies. Children flock home, family all together for first time in years, revealing all the angst, love, trauma and memories that brought them to that point. Other ancillary characters add to the mix. It was just an entertaining story, serious and funny. The last chapter ended with the mother trying to make sense of what family is, how it is shaped, how you change or don't change, and how you cope and survive.