Hi everybody! I hope you all are finding ways to be productive while remaining in isolation. This week’s review is on The Nest, by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney.
The Nest is about the hilariously dysfunctional Plumb family who are awaiting the fate of a trust fund following their father’s death. As they anxiously watch its worth increase in correspondence to the stock market, Sweeney takes the readers on the journeys of each sibling during this crazy time. From Leo, the eldest brother, recklessly getting himself into a car accident a few months prior, subsequently placing the fund at risk, and Melody, dealing with a mortgage as well as future tuition fees for her two teenaged girls, to Jack, making a huge decision that would keep his antique shop running but may destroy his two-decade long marriage, and Beatrice, experiencing extreme writer’s block who can’t finish a novel she’s been working on, the story showcases how finances put the relationships between people closest to one another to the test.
Sweeney also designates various sections focusing on specific members of the siblings’ own families. For example, Louisa, Melody’s daughter, is figuring out which post-secondary institution to attend after high school. Also, Walker, Jack’s husband, does quite a bit of reflecting throughout the book.
I remember when I first sat down to read The Nest. I was so captivated by all the characters that I just couldn’t put it down. One of the main messages I took away is how money can evidently bring out the worst in people. But sometimes seeing how they react to difficult circumstances is necessary to know if your relationship with them should continue on as it always has or even if the person is right for your life, period. The outcome might be heartbreaking, but a necessary step towards taking the best courses of action.
Overall, I thought this title was absolutely fantastic. Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney is an incredible author who really digs deep into the challenges each character faces and created story as engrossing as they come. I hope to read more of her work soon.