Summary and Reviews of The Family Tree by Carole Cadwalladr

Media Reviews

Entertainment Weekly [A] loving, spot-on portrayal of a late 1970s childhood.... Cadwalladr has produced an ambitious book, packed with funny, likeable characters.... [A] lively, rangy, and thoroughly entertaining novel.

Booklist - Misha Stone This strong and plucky debut, reminiscent of Kate Atkinson's Behind the Scenes at the Museum (1995), marks the arrival of a singular novelist who uses wit, insight, and even cultural criticism to explore one young woman's understanding of her family and herself.

Kirkus Reviews British journalist Cadwalladr's debut, structured as a graduate thesis on pop culture in late-20th- century Britain, explores three generations of family relationships, beginning in WWII.... Miraculously, The Family Tree never falls into melodrama. Despite Rebecca's light, self-mocking tone, this isn't chick-lit. It's women's literature ready to take on the men-and a wonderful read at that.

Library Journal - Barbara Love Genetic predisposition figures prominently in this tender coming-of-age novel in which Rebecca Monroe, a Welsh sociologist, struggles to understand her troubled family history.... [a] promising debut, which effortlessly combines pathos and humor.

Publishers Weekly The ease with which British journalist Cadwalladr spins three generational tales in her debut is outdone only by the grace and wit with which she delivers each one. This book rolls the pleasures of Jonathan Franzen, Zadie Smith and David Sedaris into an as told to by Margaret Mead package that's sure to find a large and very enthusiastic audience.

 Anna Maxted, author of Running in Heels, Getting Over It and Being Committed This is a jewel of a book. I loved it. Carol Cadwalladr is remarkably talented, and a very funny writer.

 Emily Barr, author of Backpack Carole Cadwalladr has written a wonderful novel that is hilarious and tragic at the same time.

 Jacquelyn Mitchard The very cleverness of its central motif--a dissertation on the expression of genetic traits, mostly through the evidence of prime-time soap opera--makes The Family Tree a notable debut. Carole Cadwalladr takes the reader deep under the skin of one unhappy, even cursed and yet utterly ordinary family. Through the eyes of a character so honest and doggedly hopeful, we see our own selves.

 Margaret Forster, author of Lady's Maid and Hidden Lives A real delight to read...such a delicacy of touch...very funny...hugely enjoyable.

 Monica Ali, author of Brick Lane Funny, fast and fresh...Hats off to Carole Cadwalladr. It was such a pleasure to read...A rare find.

 Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of The Blank Slate and How the Mind Works Poignant and intelligent. Vivid characters engage the reader to ponder the timeless themes of fate and choice.

Reader Reviews

Books with similar themes

• Literary Fiction
  
• UK (Britain) & Ireland
  
• 20th Century (multiple decades)
  
• Debuts
  
• Generational Sagas
  
• Coming of Age