We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange has been on many of the “recommended” lists for a few weeks now, so I decided to give it a try. It is an enjoyable read about an Irish Catholic family, their lives and relationships with each other. There is nothing earth shattering about this novel, but it drew me in anyway – I liked all of the Brennans, flaws and all. I found myself rooting for each character, despite being disappointed in some of their poor decisions. (Sometimes it’s nice to escape into another family’s drama with the knowledge that most things will work out in the end!)
Mickey and Maura Brennan worked hard in New York to raise four spirited and likeable children who are now adults . . .
Denny – the oldest brother; charming and personable; a fierce defender of his
siblings, but he has put his family in danger of financial ruin because of
his pub.
Sunday – the only female sibling; a writer who has been living in L.A., but come
back home after a car accident.
Jackie – 14 months younger than Sunday and an artist at heart.
Shane – the youngest Brennan; developmentally delayed; protected and loved
by all of his siblings.
Kale – a co-owner (with Denny) in Brennan’s Pub; grew up as part of the
Brennan family because his own parents weren’t there for him.
The novel covers a several week span of time in the characters’ lives. They have to reconnect with each other because of past events, but underneath the drama, you know that they love each other. All in all, this was a fun, quick read.
We Are the Brennans is Lange’s first novel. I look forward to reading more of her work!
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