something bad happens at the start of this book, maybe even something terrible - but nothing so bad that merits the absolute destruction of this family... and yet that's exactly what it does. the reader is left pondering all the 'what-if's' where the outcome could have been changed, the damage curtailed.

now don't get me wrong, most of the character motivation and subsequent action (or inaction) was understandable: the dad felt targeted, talked about, the brothers - complicite, and the mother (all of them really) abandoned by the former good will and loyal friendships of their small town. the daughter is crippled by her father's rejection, so she cannot her see own value, and flees from every attempt to promote her or recognize her.

in short, every family member is damaged tragically, and yet, realistically the ending was both hopeful and implausible.
they prevail.

somehow, after many years, all are gathered and the family seems united once again. i can believe that. families, with their unbreakable blood ties, are able to get 'past' the past, or at least live in the present.

but the author does a poor job of convincing me how each character got to that spot. the daughter, in particular, has escaped her habitual self-doubt without much explanation.
i feel like the author cheats by leaving those parts out.