A Modern Family by Helga Flatland

A Modern Family
By Helga Flatland
Published by Orenda Books (E-book - 13 April 2019; Paperback - 13 June 2019)
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher

Publisher's description

When Liv, Ellen and Håkon, along with their partners and children, arrive in Rome to celebrate their father’s seventieth birthday, a quiet earthquake occurs: their parents have decided to divorce.

Shocked and disbelieving, the siblings try to come to terms with their parents’ decision as it echoes through the homes they have built for themselves, and forces them to reconstruct the shared narrative of their childhood and family history.

My verdict
A Modern Family is a beautifully written and highly thought-provoking literary novel exploring the psychology and practicalities of marriage, commitment and individuality. 

The book begins with a family holiday in Rome, seen through the eyes of three grown-up children whose 'safe world' is about to be torn apart. I felt as though I was peering through a window into what initially seems to be a close-knit family, and then watching the layers of the facade gradually peel away.

This book is so relatable, with something for everyone to connect with, whatever their current family situation, from failing relationships and sibling rivalry to parent-child interactions and struggles with parenthood. There's so much bubbling under the surface here, revealing not only how much the characters DO know about each other, but also how much they DON'T, plus all of the secrets they've been trying to hide.

A Modern Family is honest and brutal - family life laid bare, down to its deepest foundations. The translation by Rosie Hedger is outstanding and really picks up the subtle nuances of the prose, bringing each character (and the settings) to life.

You can't choose your family, but how well do you really know them? How do you know when it's time to make changes or time to move on? And is it ever too late to take the plunge?

This book may not provide the answers to these questions, but it will certainly make you think!