Just Jennifer

Red Hook Road Ayelet Waldman (Doubleday, July 13, 2010)

What could be more perfect than a wedding in early July on the coast of Maine!  Becca Copaken, a summer girl from Manhattan (though her mother insists they are local as Iris’s family, who has lived in the town since 1879) marries local yacht builder John Tetherly, much to the disappointment of John’s mother, Jane; Iris is much more accepting of the union, in spite of the couple’s differences.  When the happy couple says, “I do!” the families are bonded forever, and when a tragedy occurs even before the reception, the families are more connected than ever.  Iris is headstrong and used to getting her way, often forcing her will on others; John’s mother, Jane, runs a local housekeeping service, and has been cleaning the Copaken’s houses for decades.  As each family, and each member of the families, tries to cope with the tragedy in the way they think is best, new, unlikely friendships are forged while old grievances take on new life.  A little girl named Samantha charms everyone with her untapped musical talent, including Iris’s father, a virtuoso violinist who is facing Parkinson’s disease as he nears the end of his life.  Over the course of four summers, the families grieve, come apart and then finally begin healing as another event that could have been tragic makes them each realize what is important and what is finally over.  A well-written, heartbreaking story that explores all the various shapes and foibles of family relationships.