What makes-or doesn't make-this novel feel like a Plot also weaves its way throughout the novel. Long Island, and three of the four Plumb siblings made Manhattan their home. Most of the novel takes place in and around New York City -the Plumb family grew up on Have you ever kept any important secrets? Would you do so again?ģ.

Story? Did you find that more secrets were kept for selfless or selfish reasons? Did you find that there were secrets that should have been revealed earlier in the Not just from one another, but from the important people in their lives-their partners, their children, their parents, Each sibling (as well as a few other characters, like Vinnie) keeps secrets

Sweeney's decision to structure her novel this way from the perspective of multiple characters,Īnd in the third person, affect the way you identified with the characters? Did you find that it made you more or less sympathetic to each sibling's predicament, and in what way? Could you imagine yourself in any of their shoes?Ģ. It's a light read- good for travel or the beach but rich in conflict.ĭoes not center on a sole protagonist, but rather a group of people. Throughout the story are threads of addiction, gay marriage, excesses of the rich, low self-esteem and self absorbed dysfunctional personalities. It's a story of acceptance and reconciliation - living with someone else's bad choices. The impact of bad choices can be life long. To paraphrase the popular bumper sticker - 'your choices matter'. It's an interesting story and a great beach or travel read. It's easy to related to most of the characters and some of their actions will force your emotions to the surface. The author invests a lot of time developing the characters - each person is uniquely dysfunctional. Then one of the siblings lives dangerously and plunders the fund. Before long, the inheritance is at the center of everyone's thoughts. Each growth spurt brings huge dreams of financial freedom and being debt free. The 'Nest' - initially designed to be a stipend, grows to an enormous amount.

Everyone is anxiously waiting for the youngest to turn 40 years old so the funds can be paid out. A story of four siblings planning their lives around a trust fund set up by their late father.

The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney