I nearly gave up near the beginning of May we be forgiven by A M Homes but I am very glad I didn’t. It’s one of those books that you see everyone reading on public transport until you feel you really ought to. I investigated what it was all about and decided it did after all sound like my kind of thing, so started reading it a week or so ago. But then I nearly gave up. Its unrelenting, somewhat brutal, depiction of middle America obsessed by sex just made me think I was never going to feel anything for any of the characters other than irritation.

So, I did something I never usually do and went to read a few reviews (which I managed to do without finding out too much about the plot). As they all said how blow-your-socks-off amazing it was I felt I really ought to continue.

This is truly the most disfunctional family you can possibly imagine. They find themselves in situations which are simultaneously tragic and comic and once you swallow your disbelief and go with it, it turn’s out to be a very unique and enjoyable book and one that is definitely worth reading. It instantly reminded me of the unlikeable people and family drama of John Updike whose writing I love (see my blog on chronicling everyday life). It’s a bit Zadie Smith-like too in its pacey narrative balanced by its touching telling of people grasping for each other and learning to share their lives.

On paper, the main protagonist Harry is in a much better place at the beginning of the novel than he is at the end, but whilst that’s true of his brother George (who starts out leading the life we’re all supposed to aspire to and let’s just say doesn’t end it that way), it’s not true of him. Harry may have exchanged a stable and normal existence with his wife and career for a houseful of children, pets and old people none of whom used to belong to him, but he’s clearly found himself and how to live in the process. And there’s the whole fascinating narrative about Richard Nixon and how he impacts on, and is reflected in, the other characters in the book.

I’m glad I put aside my prudishness. Yes it’s all a bit bonkers and there is a lot of bonking too, but this is truly a heart-warming book.