Caleb and Camille Fang are performance artists. They live to create their
performance pieces; nothing in their lives is more important. Their two
children, Annie and Buster Fang, seem to be nothing more to them than pieces on
a chessboard to be moved around and manipulated to create the most shocking
effects. They even identify the children as nothing more than Child A and Child
B. The Fang artistic touchstone is controlled chaos. They go into a setting
such as a mall, create a chaotic situation, then record the reactions of the
bystanders.
But children grow up. Buster and Annie are now grown and both feel damaged
by their upbringing. Annie is an up-and-coming actress with a couple of movies
to her credit. Buster has written two novels. But both are self-destructive in
varying ways and can’t seem to put together a constructive life or relationships
that are meaningful. The only lasting relationship they have is with each
other, as they basically raised themselves and always felt that only their
sibling was in their corner to rely on.
As the book opens, both Annie and Buster have moved back home. Buster has
been injured while writing a freelance magazine article while Annie has fled
several destructive relationships and bad choices. Home feels familiar, but
soon Caleb and Camille start trying to draw them back into performing their
latest ideas. Both children resist, fighting against the ties they can’t help
but feel for their parents, but knowing that giving in will only damage their
self-esteem more deeply.
Kevin Wilson has created a dark, offbeat family comedy that outlines the damage that
parents can do to their children when they don’t place them as a priority.
Early ties are almost impossible to overcome, and damage done early is
long-lasting. The characters are well-drawn; the madness of the parents
outlined and then fleshed out. The reader can’t help but cheer on Buster and
Annie as they attempt to break free and find happiness in their own lives. This
book is recommended for readers looking for a great read. The story is
compelling and it is difficult to put down the story without determining what
will happen to the characters. This is a debut novel and Kevin Wilson is a new
literature superstar.
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