There's a Word for That

February 25, 2019
This canny dark comedy of errors from Tanen (Bitter with Baggage Seeks Same) invites readers to indulge in the idiosyncrasies and misadventures of the dysfunctional Kessler clan. Aging celebrity author Bunny Small and her hedonistic, synthetic opioid–addicted ex-husband Marty Kessler, a famous film producer, and their progeny bicker, battle, and express love in their own unique ways as they all convene for the first time in more than a decade. For each of the children and grandchildren, familial and societal obligations bubble up as unresolved traumas in startling ways: 17-year-old Hailey, Marty’s granddaughter through an earlier marriage, suffered through a neglected adolescence; Janine, Bunny and Marty’s middle-aged daughter, resents the fame that came with being the daughter of Hollywood royalty; and Henry Holter, Bunny’s 20-something son through another marriage, is emotionally exhausted from being named after one of his mother’s well-known characters. While very little happens, much resolution is found between the characters. Tanen’s memorable wry humor (“I’m not inert, I just know my limitations”) and sharp dialogue will leave readers fully invested the rebuilding of relationships despite years of distance, trauma, and pain. Tanen’s refreshing tale of a nontraditional family legacy will appeal to fans of tightly plotted dramas in the vein of Maggie Shipstead’s work.

Narrator Therese Plummer shines in her entertaining portrayals of the Kesslers, a famous yet dysfunctional family whose members struggle to find stability and acceptance. Listeners will be introduced to the family members' strengths and weaknesses. Janine can't find an identity now that she's outgrown her career as a child actor; her father, Marty, a retired producer, is back in rehab; her niece Hailey feels overshadowed by her perfect twin sister; and Marty's first wife, Bunny, can't cope with her writer's block. With front-row seats to every therapy session and dramatic episode, there's much to digest. Plummer enhances the personality of each character and makes listeners feel as if they know each family member intimately. G.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine