Very Cold People; Sarah Manguso
Hogarth - 2022
Set mostly in the 1980s in the small town of Waitsfield, MA (not a real MA town). Waitsfield is a town where not much happens these days but, its history and former townspeople date back to the Mayflower. It is a town where the cold of winter feels like it lasts year round. Ruthie is the only child of an Italian father who works as an accountant and a Jewish stay at home mother. The family struggles financially: the bill collectors call on a regular basis, the food they eat is mostly unhealthy and whatever is cheap, their home is always freezing cold and the exterior of the house needs a paint job. The mother seems to suffer with severe depression. Ruthie isn't physically abused but, the scars from her emotionally neglectful parents still do a number on her over the years.
Fortunately for Ruthie, she does have a few friends. Most of her friends come from families with more money but, they do not have better lives. These girls are also to be pitied for very different reasons.
Told from the POV of Ruthie from grade school to adulthood, Ruthie is a character I cared about from the start. I loved the 1980's coming of age vibe, I only wished I had the power to have made her childhood better. The writing style was crisp and grabbed me from the start. It was almost like a memoir or a series of journal entries. We eventually learn the root of Ruthie's mother's depression. This was not an upbeat story but, it was a well-written one that packs a punch. There are a lot of darker subjects which surfaced in this 192 page book - dysfunctional families, suicide, eating disorders, self-harm and even sexual assault. Despite the dark tone, I liked this book a lot - for me, dysfunctional families makes for some thought provoking reading.
This is my second book in a row that featured people and families who have difficulty expressing emotions even to the people closest to them. Fortunately, my (2) current reads: One Italian Summer and Taste: My Life Through Food, Stanley Tucci are more upbeat.
Rating - 4/5 stars
Thanks go to Hogarth and Edelweiss for allowing me access to this download in exchange for my unbiased review.)
Well, it does sound like a good story and an interestin family.
ReplyDeleteI did like it and would definitely read more by this author.
DeleteI like the sound of this, even though it has a certain sadness to it. Expressing emotions is hard for many people, but especially when a family has persistent financial problems that have an impact on each member.
ReplyDeleteSo true and having a depressed mother is not a good thing for a child either.
DeleteAfter two serious books, you deserve a few lighter ones. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny thought, I NEVER enjoy the lighter books as much as the more serious subjects.
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting read despite the sad and dark elements. Will keep this book in mind.
ReplyDeleteHope you've a great week ahead, Diane! Didn't expect to take a break that long and it's good to be back to reading and blogging. :)
Melody, sometimes we just need a good break guilt free. I did like Very Cold People an awful lot - kind of like not being able to look away from a car crash.
DeleteGreat review. This sounds intriguing. I do find dysfunctional families to be really interesting to read about.
ReplyDeleteYes, this was a good one. Rough at times but, the feelings were fleeting.
DeleteYeah seems quite dark though good. Very Cold People indeed. Glad the writing is well done. I'll probably get to it but likely not soon.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this one but, you need to be in the right frame of mind for this one.
DeleteThat seems like a lot of darkness for 192 pages! Taste will be the perfect antidote, I'm sure. Hope you're enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Taste last night and was surprised at some of the health issues Tucci and his family had to deal with. This was an unexpected surprise.
DeleteThis novel really does pack a punch if it covers all of that in under 200 pages. I'm glad Ruthie was such a sympathetic and likable character.
ReplyDeleteThat she was; her childhood takes a toll but, the ending seemed hopeful.
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