One Sentence Summary:
A family’s idyllic life is shattered after the daughter’s assault in this heartwrenching novel that explores themes of innocence, resilience, and love.
Book Genre:
Contemporary Fiction
Main Topic of the Book:
The unraveling of the Mulvaney family after their daughter’s assault and the impact it has on each member’s life.
Key Ideas:
- The effects of a traumatic event on a family and how it tests their strength and love
- The consequences of keeping secrets and the power of speaking the truth
- The loss of innocence and the resilience of the human spirit
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary:
Part One: The Last Great July
The novel opens with a beautiful description of the Mulvaney family, led by proud parents Corinne and Michael, and their four children – Mike Jr., Patrick, Marianne, and Judd. They are the epitome of a happy, successful, and close-knit family living on their farm in upstate New York. However, their perfect life begins to crumble after Marianne is assaulted at a party. The Mulvaneys, especially their father, struggle to come to terms with the incident and keep it a secret from the rest of the community.
Part Two: The Age of Grief
The aftermath of Marianne’s assault weighs heavily on the Mulvaneys as their once tight-knit family becomes fractured. Mike Jr. is consumed by guilt and self-hatred, Patrick rebels and leaves home, Corinne escapes into a world of fantasy, and Marianne is sent away to a convent school. Only Judd, the youngest son, maintains a connection with each member of the family.
Part Three: The Zigzag Way
Twenty-five years after Marianne’s assault, the Mulvaneys have dispersed, and Michael is battling a terminal illness. The truth about the assault is revealed, and each family member must confront their role in keeping the secret. Marianne, who has become a successful businesswoman, returns to the family home to face the past and seek closure.
Key Takeaways:
- Family dynamics can be changed in an instant by a traumatic event
- Secrets can cause more harm than good in a family
- The power of love and resilience in overcoming tragedies
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Joyce Carol Oates is an American author known for her works of fiction, poetry, and essays. She has published over 40 novels and has won numerous awards, including the National Book Award and the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction. Oates has a master’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin and has taught at Princeton University since 1978.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this novel is primarily adult readers who enjoy contemporary fiction. It may also appeal to those interested in exploring the effects of a traumatic event on a family and the complexities of family dynamics.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
‘We Were the Mulvaneys’ was first published in 1996 by William Abrahams and was later re-published in 2001 by Plume.