The Condition

PEN/Hemingway Award winner Jennifer Haigh takes the reader inside the lives of a seemingly perfect everyday family and exposes the fault lines that threaten their happiness. All of the five family members have flaws, secrets, and special needs that contribute to the conflict and ultimate resolution--which, despite the extreme dysfunctionality of the characters, offers an optimistic depiction of the power of love. Jennifer Van Dyck is an excellent choice to present this understated novel. While her tone is gentle and conversational, her pace is brisk. Without ever becoming strident or artificial she displays a full range of emotion as she gives a clear voice to each member of this family. M.O.B. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

February 18, 2008
A dysfunctional New England family struggles toward normalcy in this poignant novel from PEN/Hemingway-winner Haigh, who follows the children of resentful, controlling, Paulette and distracted, needy Frank. Even during a childhood in idyllic Cape Cod, there are hints of a rocky future. When that future arrives, Billy, the most successful of the children, keeps a secret about his sophisticated New York life from almost everyone. Scott, formerly the uncontrollable brat of the bunch, sees himself in his own troubled son. Meanwhile, Gwen suffers from a genetic condition that prevents her from developing into womanhood. The story starts slowly, and while the setup feels familiar (a fractured New England family), the children take unexpected turns that shake up the narrative, leading to the most surprising twist of all: despite the sobering events chronicled, there's a strong nod to the healing power of love. Haigh allows the reader to sympathize with each of the family members, and, in turn, to see their flaws and better understand them.

August 25, 2008
Haigh’s third novel relates the heartbreaking story of Gwen McKotche, a young woman inflicted with Turner’s syndrome, which will forever trap her in the body of a child, and her family’s trials and tribulations. With flawed yet honest and caring characters, Jennifer Van Dyck relates the story in a believable voice drenched in sadness without editorializing. Van Dyck delivers a solid reading that displays her knack for emotional storytelling while still allowing her audience the privilege of commanding their own emotions for the majority of the tale. Van Dyck never tries to force sympathy and tears from her audience, but will have no problem bringing them to the surface of each listener. A Harper hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 18).

Starred review from September 15, 2008
In her third novel (after "Baker Towers"), "New York Times" best-selling author Haigh weaves a realistic contemporary tale centering on a 12-year-old girl with Turner syndrome and her relationship with her fractured family. Twenty years into the future, a trip to Cape Cod and down memory lane brings the family its first wave of honest and open communication and maybe even a glimmer of hope. Actress/narrator Jennifer Van Dyck brilliantly captures the unique yet believable characters. Recommended for all public libraries and an obvious choice for book discussion groups. [Audio clip available through www.harperaudio.com; watch the book trailer at oogop.notlong.com; the Harper hc was "highly recommended," "LJ" 4/1/08.Ed.]Valerie Piechocki, Prince George's Cty. Memorial Lib., Largo, MD

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2008
When prepubescent Gwen McKotch is discovered to have a rare genetic disorder, the rest of the family begins to unravel. The novel starts with what will be the last family gathering on Cape Cod and jumps back and forth, tracing 20 years in the life of each character. Oldest son and golden boy Billy struggles with his sexuality. Youngest son Scott gets lost in the shuffle of his sisters illness and his parents divorce and, as a result, drifts unhappily through life. Gwen herself struggles to grow up, even though her body cannot physically mature. Their parents remain maddeningly blind to the real natures of not only their children but also themselves. The reader comes to care deeply about this family, all of whom are presented in a sympathetic and compassionate manner. However, an ending focused around 9/11 seems intent on forcing us to somehow see ourselves in the characters, an emotional trick not necessary in this otherwise finely crafted novel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)