Some Luck: A novel
By: Jane Smiley
Rating: 3.5 of 5
“Some Luck” is the story of an American family over a period of 33 years, beginning in 1920 and finishing in 1953. It is the first of a trilogy about the family. Walter and Rosanna are the parents of a young baby boy, named Frank, when the story begins. The story is told from the perspective of each of the members of the family (even Frank as a six month old.) As the story goes along, the individuals who tell the story (in third person) are: Walter, Rosanna and their children: Frank, Joe, Mary Elizabeth, Lillian, Henry, and Claire. The family farm the land that Walter bought in his early twenties. We hear the history of their family along with the social and world events that were occurring during that time period.
It was an interesting book to read though I felt the focus was on Frank a little more than I cared for – I would have liked to have known a bit more of what the women in the family thought and wished for. Perhaps that will occur in the follow-on books. At the time period this book covers, men were still dominating society and women were just beginning to demand an equal say. It may be that by the third book, the story will be equally about each of the family members.
There were sad moments and surprisingly few real happy moments. The times that could have been portrayed as joyous were downplayed to the point of almost non-existence. Perhaps that is the family dynamic being shown, and while very different from my own experience, one that is equally valid.
I was interested in reading the book, especially when the historical events were at the forefront. To say I enjoyed it seems a little strange. There wasn’t joy in the book, so I can only say I really appreciated reading it.
“Some Luck” is the story of an American family over a period of 33 years, beginning in 1920 and finishing in 1953. It is the first of a trilogy about the family. Walter and Rosanna are the parents of a young baby boy, named Frank, when the story begins. The story is told from the perspective of each of the members of the family (even Frank as a six month old.) As the story goes along, the individuals who tell the story (in third person) are: Walter, Rosanna and their children: Frank, Joe, Mary Elizabeth, Lillian, Henry, and Claire. The family farm the land that Walter bought in his early twenties. We hear the history of their family along with the social and world events that were occurring during that time period.