I started reading this book an actual lifetime ago. Granted, that life is all of two weeks old and belongs to my son, but I’m counting it. Mostly because that makes me feel better about being behind on my goal for CBR; I’m five books behind on my one per week to stay on track. In any case, I finished my first book in a good long while, and it’s more than possible my good feelings and copious hormones have colored my estimation of the book favorably.
We meet the first of the Plumb family, Leo, as he is making a characteristic selfish move that leads to the decimation of the titular “Nest,” a once modest inheritance that the other Plumbs began to rely upon as it grew and the divestment date approached.
The basic plot may be simple, revolving around each family member and their various reasons for needing money that has diminished to its pre-investment modesty after being used to quiet Leo’s scandal, but reading each character’s thoughts and individual poor financial decisions is surprisingly entertaining, in large part because D’aprix Sweeney writes the different characters well. As we get perspectives from people outside the family, the skill with which the author writes the Plumbs as similar yet distinct is made all the clearer; the siblings are unique yet unified.
The skill extends to plot as well; there are few big surprises here, but this just enforces a sense of familiarity rather than predictability. Moreover, for my hormone-softened brain, the ending landed just far enough on the sweet side of bittersweet to be realistic yet satisfying.
I’m a soft touch at the moment, but there’s something to be said for the book equivalent of macaroni and cheese; this won’t change anyone’s life but it was a great read and heartily recommended.
I read this last year and thought it was an unmemorable but serviceable novel. But CONGRATS on your son!
I can totally see how it probably is meh at best. But man did I need something not-particularly-challenging while not being outright idiotic right now. Thanks for the well-wishes ❤️
Congrats on your be-be!
Thanks!
Congrats on the new baby!
Thanks!
Congratulations on the new baby! I wouldn’t worry too much about how much you manage to read and review. You gave birth to a tiny human that you grew inside of yourself and now you are nurturing it. That beats book reviewing any day.
Thanks! And I know that logically, but there’s so much I was hoping to accomplish on maternity leave, and even though I know exactly where the time is going, it’s hard not to feel like I’m mismanaging it. Little man is a full time job right now for sure though.
Yay new baby!
And I hear you on the mismanaging time feeling. When I first had my daughter a million years ago, I thought I’d get all kinds of things done. Then she arrived and taking a shower felt akin to graduating from Harvard with honors.
Snuggle that new baby as much as you can. The other stuff will still be there later.