Being a triplet is not always as exciting as it may seem. It was most certainly not in the Oppenheimer family. Was it because their parents came together after tragedy had befallen their father, leaving him emotionally incapacitated? Was it because their mother, Johanna, failed to allow herself to see what was missing? Or was it just because the triplets she birthed were just too different, too broken from the start? No matter, their trajectory seemed inevitably destined to crash and burn. Or could it possibly be saved?
This was a weirdly satisfying narrative. While following the triplets’ upbringing was like observing a car accident in slow motion – an inevitable collision that would explode into tiny pieces – it was impossible to turn away. One felt compelled to rant along with Sally against her brothers; to despair with Lewyn’s as he searched for himself; and actively flinch as Harrison arrogantly voiced his supremacist disdain for his peers. These three could not have been more different from each other, more disconnected from their family. And yet, it appeared that their mother could not acknowledge this – nor could their father care. Heartbreaking.
The satisfaction comes with the resolution. And while I generally do not like “packaged” endings, this one is done so wonderfully, with such a subtly victorious coup, that it just feels so good. I could not stop smiling as I read the final chapters, and admittedly let out a few utterances of “YES!” along the way. And as in all fiction, there is a bit of letting go of some reality and allowing for some of the impossible to become possible, I chose to believe because it was just fun to do so. And in this moment, we need a bit of fun – and some victory over extremist conservativism – don’t we????
Allow yourself this opportunity for fun, will you? It’s a good ride!
kindread spirits 