- The House We Grew Up In, Lisa Jewell
On the surface of things, Lorelei is the charismatic and loving matriarch of the Bird family who live an idyllic and carefree life in the Cotswolds. In reality, this is a woman whose self-absorption and obsession with accumulating stuff intensifies after a shocking act within the family occurs. Lorelei's self-absorption and hoarding tendencies damages each person she loves - from her four children and her husband to her new partner and that partner's two children. And yet Lorelei doesn't seem to notice, until too late in her life when she finds herself completely abandoned and alone. But obviously Lorelei is damaged herself and secrets from her past are revealed in the final letters of her life to a stranger.
This book also focuses on the divergent paths her children take into and through adulthood and the effects the shocking event that rocked their family at Bird House had on the decisions they made.
A really good yet very distressing read, and in the end uplifting. I found myself getting so angry and upset with Lorelei, yet trying to be understanding of her mental condition at the same time. And I felt so sorry for her. Highly recommended.