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Another month and another book club pick ticked off the list. This one had mixed reviews when we met to discuss it as a group (personally they are always the best ones for me) and our discussion lasted well over an hour.
“Because maybe I don’t want to leave the planet invisible. Maybe I need at least one person to remember something about me.”
— Tell the Wolves I’m Home, Carol Rifka Brunt
Set in 1987 we follow the story of 14 year old June Elbus. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June feels like there is only one person who has ever truly understood her; her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. When Finn dies, June feels like her entire world has been turned upside down, and she is unsure of where she now fits within it.
Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a beautifully written adult novel, told from the perspective of June. I’d say that is one of the more interesting aspects of the book; as readers you feel like you perceive and understand far more of the wider picture than June is able to, and yet we get all her thoughts, emotions and feelings as she struggles to navigate her life and discover who she wants to be.
Many of the book-clubbers loved this book and gave it 5 stars, although I had a couple of issues. Namely the involvement of Finn’s partner, Toby (previously unknown to Finn’s family) who appears on the scene and develops a relationship with June. There is nothing untoward which takes place other than his complete lack of awareness over his actions involving an impressionable and lonely 14 year old girl. Both June and Toby take what they need from their friendship but I couldn’t get past the fact that a fully grown adult should know better.
I felt there could also have been more to some of the side characters. June’s sister is going through a lot and we only really see the snippets that June is able to provide. I would have liked to understand far more of her story and what was happening, rather than being left with too many questions at the end of the book.
Aside from wanting more, which I think is a sign that I am invested in a story, I appreciated that all of the characters felt real; they were flawed and had unlikeable moments but you could see that most of what they did came from a place of love and a sense of family.
If you don’t enjoy books where miscommunication features heavily, or with conveniently absentee parents I would give this a miss. If you are looking for a beautifully told story which covers an array of themes from love and family to jealousy and grief then this could be a great choice. I gave this 4 stars and wouldn’t hesitate to look up future works by this author.
