New Books This Week: Family Bonds Explored in Diverse Stories

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, several authors release new books that delve into complex family dynamics and personal relationships, just in time for the transition from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. The selections include works from Susan Choi, Evan Osnos, Molly Jong-Fast, Melissa Febos, and Yrsa Daley-Ward, showcasing a range of genres from fiction to essays.

Yrsa Daley-Ward’s debut novel, The Catch, follows twin daughters who are stunned when their mother, presumed dead for 30 years, appears as if no time has passed. Daley-Ward, who lost her own mother, describes the book as a thought experiment and reflects, “What better wish fulfillment can you have than writing a book?” She explores the idea of what it would mean if one could rewrite the past.

Melissa Febos’s latest collection, The Dry Season, centers on her decision to take a break from romance. Known for her candid essays, Febos offers readers insights into her life during this intentional suspension, filled with reflections on love and personal growth.

Susan Choi returns with Flashlight, a story that intertwines family catastrophe with the complexities of geopolitics. This book expands on the themes present in her previous work that garnered the National Book Award. Choi’s writing draws readers into the unexpected twists and turns of familial and societal relationships.

Evan Osnos’s The Haves and Have-Yachts presents essays that paint a picture of wealth and privilege in America. The nonfiction work offers a look into the lives of the elite, exploring their habits and the societal implications of their wealth. Osnos is known for his role as a staff writer for the New Yorker, adding a journalistic perspective to his observations.

The memoir How to Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast reveals the challenges of growing up with a mother who had a tumultuous relationship with alcohol and writing. With an 83-year-old Erica Jong suffering from dementia, Jong-Fast reflects on their complicated relationship, providing readers with a raw and honest look at family ties.

Lastly, Edward St. Aubyn’s Parallel Lines brings back his signature wit and complex characters. This novel features an ensemble cast dealing with themes of parental influence and family struggles, reminiscent of St. Aubyn’s earlier works, particularly his well-known character Patrick Melrose.