As you see from the column on the right, the currently reading status has been unchanged for a while. Yes, I am still reading The Goldfinch. By now I have handed the trade paperback on to a friend and have gotten an ebook edition of it. See, the actual book is just so heavy, it was no fun reaing for that fact (and that fact alone, the book is brilliant). Even now, it is still a massive thing and it takes some time to get through.
Anyway, I have been known to read more than one book at a time and usually read a smaller volume that will comfortable fit my handbag. This was a few week ago Everything Changes, which flew all the way to New York City and back with, without getting much attention (so much to do!). I did, however, finish it a while back and here are my (admitedly vague) recollections of it.
It's another family crisis. Zachary King, oldes of three sons, lives a seemingly normal life and is soon to be married. If only he wasn't so hung up on his late best friend's widow Tamara. Really, his life isn't all that normal.
He lives with a friend in New York without paying rent. This friend of his made a pretty penny before the software bubble burst and got out in time, so now he spends his days on the couch watching TV.
Zach's father has dropped off the face of the earth, having left the family long before when his mother finally caught him cheating red-handed and used the photographic evidence as a family Christmas card. The boys are all upset and took their time in understanding that their father is not as reliable and now, finally, definitely changing for good and become a responsible parent.
Zach is pissed off, so is his little brother who turns his disgust into punk rock songs. His other brother is mentally challenged and does not quite have the same grasp on life as the rest of the world does.
In the midst of his anxiety over his impending nuptials and his adoration for Tamara, his father Norm swoops back into their lives to reconnect with everyone and make amends. And if that wasn't enough to prompt a sudden life change for Zach, he also started peeing blood and obviously expects the worst.
Then his life - helped along by Zach himself starts to unravel. And as the titel suggests, everything does change. Obviously he is not going to marry beautful hope, his medial worries keep gnawing on him and his fathers keeps sticking around for the longest time, no matter how unwanted his presence is.
In the end, he does disappear again and his motives for reappearing in the first place were very selfish in a way. Turns out he has another young son, this one merely four years old that he hopes his former family can provide for.
As usual with Jonathan Tropper books, the family is as unhinged as they come and the read is thouroughly enjoyable.
7/10
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