Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich (Harper Collins, 2010)
A quick-reading narrative cocktail of omniscience, epistolary dairy-entry and manipulated first & third person, this 14th novel by prolific Minnesota author Louise Erdrich features a family of five on the ugly verge of emotional breakdown. Gil and Irene have a long-disturbed, mean-spirited marriage based in game-playing, illusion and deception and fueled by alcohol and addiction. Theirs is an artistic and narcissistic union where “all the rules are broken,” which creates a tumultuous family life where the children are ever-anxious and angry. With all the child abuse, endless analysis of instinct, vicious fighting, failure and dependence, the inevitable result is a very depressing crash and burn (7/10).
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