You know how sometimes you pick up a book and within pages, you just know you’re in for something special? That’s exactly how I felt diving into Claire Lombardo’s debut novel, “The Most Fun We Ever Had.” It’s like sitting down with an old friend who’s about to spill some serious family tea, and honey, you better believe I was all ears.
A Family Saga for the Ages
In The Most Fun We Ever Had, Lombardo weaves a rich, multigenerational tale that follows the Sorenson family through decades of love, loss, and everything in between. At the center are Marilyn and David, the kind of couple that makes you believe in soulmates (if you’re into that sort of thing). Their four daughters—Wendy, Violet, Liza, and Grace—orbit around them like planets around the sun, each struggling to find their own place in the universe while living up to the impossibly high bar set by their parents’ seemingly perfect marriage.
The Characters: Flawed, Fabulous, and Oh-So-Human
Let’s break down this dysfunctional family tree, shall we?
- Marilyn and David: The rock-solid foundation that everyone else measures themselves against. But even rocks can crack under pressure, and watching them navigate the choppy waters of long-term marriage is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
- Wendy: The wild child turned young widow. She’s a hot mess express, but you can’t help rooting for her. Her sharp tongue and penchant for younger men hide a world of pain.
- Violet: The type-A perfectionist with a secret that threatens to unravel her carefully constructed life. Her struggle with anxiety and motherhood hit close to home for many readers.
- Liza: The neurotic academic facing an unplanned pregnancy. Her journey through ambivalence to acceptance is beautifully nuanced.
- Grace: The baby of the family, living a lie that puts her at odds with everyone she loves. Her storyline is a poignant exploration of identity and belonging.
And then there’s Jonah, the long-lost son given up for adoption years ago, whose arrival acts as the spark that ignites long-buried tensions and secrets. His presence forces each family member to confront their own demons and re-evaluate their relationships with one another.
Themes That Hit You Right in the Feels
Lombardo tackles some heavy themes with a deft touch:
- The weight of family expectations
- The complexities of sibling rivalry
- The aftermath of loss and grief
- The search for identity and purpose
- The challenges of maintaining long-term relationships
But it’s not all doom and gloom! There’s plenty of humor sprinkled throughout, often in the form of sharp-witted dialogue that had me literally laughing out loud (much to the annoyance of my cat, who was trying to nap on my lap).
A Writing Style That Sucks You In
Can we talk about Lombardo’s prose for a hot second? It’s gorgeous without being pretentious, insightful without being preachy. She has this knack for capturing the tiny moments that make up a life—the shared glances, the inside jokes, the unspoken resentments—in a way that feels incredibly authentic.
The narrative jumps back and forth in time, which could be confusing in less skilled hands. But Lombardo masterfully weaves past and present together, slowly revealing the events that shaped each character. It’s like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, with each chapter adding another piece until the full picture emerges.
Standout Scenes That’ll Stay With You
There are so many memorable moments in this book, but a few really stuck with me:
- The flashbacks to Marilyn and David’s early relationship, full of that giddy, all-consuming new love energy
- Wendy’s raw, unflinching grief as she navigates life without her husband
- The tense family dinner where long-held secrets start bubbling to the surface
- Grace’s coming-out scene, which is handled with such tenderness and compassion
Not Just Another “Dysfunctional Family” Novel
Look, I know what you’re thinking. “Great, another book about a messed-up family. Haven’t we seen this before?” And sure, on the surface, it might seem like familiar territory. But trust me, Lombardo brings something fresh to the table.
For one, the Sorensons aren’t your typical “dysfunctional” clan. They genuinely love each other, even when they’re driving each other crazy. The bonds between them feel real and lived-in, not like caricatures of family relationships.
And while there’s plenty of drama, it never veers into soap opera territory. The conflicts feel grounded in reality, the kind of issues that could easily pop up in any family.
A Note on Pacing
Fair warning: The Most Fun We Ever Had isn’t a fast-paced, plot-driven novel. If you’re looking for non-stop action, you might want to look elsewhere. “The Most Fun We Ever Had” is more of a slow burn, taking its time to really delve into the characters’ psyches and relationships.
Personally, I loved this approach. It allowed me to really sink into the Sorensons’ world and get to know them inside and out. By the end, they felt like real people I’d known for years.
The Verdict: A Must-Read for Lovers of Literary Fiction
“The Most Fun We Ever Had” is the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. It’s a testament to the power of family—both the ways it can lift us up and the ways it can hold us back. Lombardo has crafted a story that’s both intensely personal and universally relatable.
If you’re a fan of authors like Ann Patchett or Elizabeth Strout, who excel at exploring the intricacies of family dynamics, you’ll find a lot to love here. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day, preferably with a giant mug of tea and a box of tissues nearby (trust me, you’re gonna need ’em).
Who Should Read This Book?
- Anyone who’s ever felt like the black sheep of their family
- Readers who appreciate complex, well-developed characters
- Fans of multigenerational family sagas
- Those who enjoy stories that balance humor and heartbreak
- Anyone who’s ever wondered if they’ll find a love like their parents’ (or hoped they wouldn’t)
Final Thoughts
Claire Lombardo has knocked it out of the park with her debut novel. “The Most Fun We Ever Had” is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant story that reminds us of the messy, complicated, ultimately beautiful nature of family bonds. It’s not always an easy read—there were moments that made me want to reach through the pages and shake some sense into these characters—but it’s an incredibly rewarding one.
So go ahead, clear your schedule and dive into the world of the Sorensons. Just don’t blame me if you end up calling your siblings to hash out decades-old arguments afterward. Hey, that’s what family’s all about, right?
P.S. Can we talk about that cover art? Simple yet striking. It perfectly captures the interconnected nature of family relationships. Chef’s kiss!