This book took quite a while to get through. Partly this was because it's quite long [450 pages], but also because I have been devoting less time to reading than I'd like to. It wasn't hard to read and is very well written.
The story is about a family over something like a 15 year period, written mainly from the viewpoint of the youngest member. There are the parents and 4 children - 3 sons and a daughter. When the daughter is raped, a train of events almost leads to the complete destruction of the family - hence the title of the book.
There are ups and downs in the book and a real feeling [for me] of how life can make you feel out of control. Obviously, the rape is a terrible experience for the victim, but I had never considered how such an event might have wider implications. I have read other books on this subject [like "Lucky" by Alice Sebold], which have given me some insight, but there always seems to be more facets. In this book, the idea that the victim ends up with such a low opinion of themselves - a low self esteem - is introduced. I am not clear whether this comes from the event itself or from the reaction of her family and community.
All in all, I am glad that I read the book and feel that I have gained from it. It makes me sad that a "dream family" can fall apart like this, but I am encouraged by the description of how the individuals came out of it OK.
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