book review: May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Homes

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The backstory: May We Be Forgiven won the Women's Prize for Fiction in 2013.

 The basics: May We Be Forgiven is the story of the very dysfunctional Silver family. Its main character is Harold, a Nixon scholar and adjunct professor. His brother George has an enviable career, life and family.

 My thoughts: The opening pages of May We Be Forgiven are a literary tour de force. Homes packs so much into its first fifty pages, and I was reading with delight, shock and awe. 'If this much has already happened,' I mused, 'where will the next 400 pages take me'? Sadly, Homes did not capitalize enough on the momentum she creates in the novel's first section.

I read this novel relatively quickly and excitedly, but as I neared to the last 100 pages or so, I just wanted it to be over. I was no longer enjoying the story, which seemed by then to be an unnecessary sequel of a hit. Over all, May We Be Forgiven is a curious book. It is unquestionably brilliant at times. It's scope is vast and impressive, and Homes is an aggressive writer (I mean that as a compliment.) Yet it's her aggressive writing that ultimately made this novel disappointing, as it did not meet the expectations she set. Did it make me a fan of Homes? Yes. Would I recommend it? Yes, but with reservations. Was it one of the most disappointing reads of 2014? Absolutely, but it's moments of brilliance make it worthwhile, if not necessarily prize-worthy.

 Favorite passage:  "You are a paranoid motherfucker," he says.
"I am a Nixon scholar," I shout. "I know whereof I speak."

 The verdict: Despite wonderful writing, intriguing characters, and a brilliant opening act, May We Be Forgiven  is a book I liked less as it went on. By the end, I was relieved it was over. While it showed me I like A.M. Homes as a writer, I ultimately did not enjoy this book.

 Rating: 3 out of 5
Length: 488 pages
Publication date: September 27, 2012
Source: library

 Convinced? Treat yourself! Buy May We Be Forgiven from Amazon (Kindle edition.)

Want more? Visit A.M. Homes' website, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

As an affiliate, I receive a small commission when you make a purchase through any of the above links. Thank you for helping to support my book habits that bring more content to this blog!

Comments

  1. valorie grace hallinanDecember 19, 2014 at 11:45 PM

    I believe she wrote the memoir The Mistress's Daughter which I really enjoyed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. raidergirl3December 21, 2014 at 5:27 PM

    I remember reading this soon after The Goldfinch, and just after the Goldfinch won the Pulitzer. (I wasn't a fan of the Goldfinch) To me, May We Be Forgiven was a better representative novel for The Pulitzer. Crap, now I can't remember what I liked about this book! I know I didn't love it, but it kept my interest and I was able (at the time) to compare it to The Goldfinch.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    I still want to read this even though it looses steam part way through. I find that with so many books these days ... if only they were 100 pages shorter!

    ReplyDelete

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