(10/7/2023)
While DAY was something of a struggle for me to get into, ultimately there was value to be found. My initial problem was with the numerous characters introduced in Day One -- a few major family members and a dozen or more minor old boyfriends, students, dogs -- all have names! The majors are tediously self-conscious/self-absorbed. Not necessarily interesting...except to themselves.
Day 1, April 5, 20219, Morning: The Byrne family (Dan, Isabel, Nathan, Isabel and Isabel's brother Robbie) live in a Brooklyn brownstone. It was difficult to figure out just who dashing, handsome Wolfe was until he was eventually revealed as an Instagram avatar created by Robbie and Isabel. Other family members: Dan's brother Garth, wife Chess and baby Odin have similar problems of coming to grips with marriage, sexuality, parenthood.
Marked by empty streets, flashing lights and screaming sirens, Day 2, Afternoon April 5, 2020, COVID lockdown forces each character to recognize their own issues, whether growing up, staying safe, analyzing marriages/careers.
Finally, Evening April 5, 2021. Isolation has been lifted. The families gather at a country farmhouse and come to grips with the changes caused by close quarters living.
The point of DAY is how the COVID epidemic affected people everywhere -- online learning, illness, death, in addition to the traditional problems of growing up, career changes and living together. This is where the book has real value to me.