I was excited to see this book as my library’s “Big Read” (books for the Big Read are chosen by the readers themselves) as I normally enjoy these kinds of stories. I really wanted to love this book, but, aside from some interesting chicken and goat stories, I’m not sure I even liked it.
Jennifer, an English teacher, and David, an accountant, are “living the dream” with their three children when David confesses that he has not filed any income tax returns for several years, putting the family deep into debt with both the state and the IRS. With one child still at home, they leave their charmed life to move to a run-down cabin in the woods, where they attempt to raise chickens and goats.
Jennifer admits to having her head in the sand in general and admits that she ignored all of the red flags over her family’s finances. And though she doesn’t say it in so many words, she admits to a very superficial relationship with her husband.
Sounds interesting, right?
Well, it would be if not for Jennifer’s incessant whining and victim mentality. Even though she sort of-kind of admits to her own faults, she never really believes that anything is her fault or that she had any part to play in where she and David find themselves. She’s oh so very “tra la, oh well”.
At about the halfway mark I was hoping for some sign that Jennifer was starting to really embrace her roll in her family’s drama, but when, at the end of one chapter, she exclaims, “I choose this”, I just didn’t believe her. The whole “follow your bliss, to heck with actually paying your bills” was grating. Her comments regarding law enforcement were enraging, because, you know, when you break the law, you shouldn’t be held accountable. While I do believe she loves her animals, her irresponsibility regarding their health is indefensible. Her comments that Denise, part of the couple who sold them the house she and David bailed on, was “not a good friend to her” was jaw dropping.
And when you’re swimming in debt drinking pricey alcohol and getting your hair done on a regular basis is really where your priorities should be.
Frankly, Jennifer’s just not very likable – just glib. She may be book smart, but she lacks any common sense. I finished the book without any sense that she learned anything about herself or that she had developed any real connection with her husband.
So, if you are looking for a book about a family that suffers a financial set back, regroups, and comes out stronger in the end, this isn’t it.