The Nest, Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
ECCO - 2016
Grown siblings behaving badly is the central theme upon which, The Nest, has been built.
The four Plumb siblings, Leo, Jack, Bea and Melody have long thought about "the nest" they would inherit when Melody, the youngest, turned 40 and, that day is just months away. The watched the stock market soar and made plenty of plans for the money. They'd pay off mortgages, fund college tuitions and enjoy life more. However, as the saying goes, "don't count your chickens before they hatch."
Truth is Leo, the oldest and perhaps most irresponsible of the Plumb clan has chipped away at their inheritance, with the permission of their mother, Leo loves women, booze and drugs perhaps a bit too much. As the story begins he crashes his Porshe causing his young nineteen year old companion to lose a foot. This accident costs him plenty including money from "the nest" that the others were expecting. Now they expect Leo, the irresponsible, golden boy to pay up.
The characters are both quirky and unique and come alive on the pages as we learn about their drama and baggage. Their issues: parenting, relationships, finances, substance abuse etc. make some of them more likable than others. Some of their situations were funny, others seemed unrealistic. Perhaps I just don't have a clue about rich people who live beyond their means and then expect to be handed a golden spoon really behave.
I thought the set up for this story was great but, I found most of the characters either shallow or annoying. Family dysfunction is a topic I generally love to read about and I was enjoying the Plumb clan but, I felt a huge disappointment by the way this novel wrapped up.
3.5/5 stars
(eGalley)
I'm so glad that I wasn't the only person to rate this book less than 4-stars. I enjoyed it, but it just didn't meet the hype for me. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy; glad it wasn't just me:(
DeleteI actually loved this book, but like you, I found the characters annoying and unlikeable. I wanted a better ending, but I thought: okay, it's like life. Nothing is wrapped up in a pretty bow. lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Laurel, I was really disappointed by the epilogue. I don't usually mind annoying characters but, this crew got to me after a while.
DeleteI have been curious about this book. Your book actually makes me like that I haven't rushed out and read it!
ReplyDeleteMaybe someday you might want to try it, I was enjoying it more early on.
DeleteHm, I've heard a lot about this one so I've had big expectations. I'll probably put it off for a little while now and go in with lower expectations.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay for summer reading but not worth all the hype IMO
DeleteI enjoyed this one, but didn't find it earth-shattering or anything. The epilogue really bugged me though...way too neat and tidy.
ReplyDeleteYes, I disliked that epilogue as well!
DeleteIt starts off strong and I was enjoying it but, then it got a bit much!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this wasn't better for you. I've heard it didn't quite live up to they hype. The premise is attractive though.
ReplyDeleteI've stayed away from this one for all the reasons you didn't like about it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Diane.
ReplyDeleteI listened to the audio of this one and while I liked it, I didn't find it that enthralling. I didn't see what a few others raved about.
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of good things about this and I actually do like it more after reading your review. But shallow characters bother me a lot so I may still be on the fence with this.
ReplyDeleteYep. I fear I will feel the same way once I read it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for another review making me glad I did not spend my precious reading time on this one!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm glad I've held off on buying this one. I keep picking it up but have not been able to pull the trigger.
ReplyDelete