It took me a while to get into this book and then by the end I was left a bit unsatisfied, but overall it does have some good elements and I enjoyed it. It tackles some important issues such as politics, mental health, and family relationships. I just wish it was a bit more punchy and engaging.

Lee Cole’s debut, Groundskeeping, was one of my books of the year back in 2022 raising hopes high for his second novel which sees two half-brothers returning to their Kentucky home. Emmett finds a job in a vast distribution centre, unloading cargo to be sent out to customers throughout the country, much of it ephemeral tat. Joel has moved into his mother’s home, one step up from a trailer, on a short-term teaching gig, along with his wife, Alice, who has no reason to stay in their New York home, still drifting from one dream to another rather like Emmett whose latest idea is to become a screenwriter. Both brothers have their own particular messes to deal with: Joel self-medicating a depression precipitated by his father’s suicide and Alice’s obvious discontent with their marriage; Emmett unable to stifle his envy of his brother’s supposed success in the face of his own failure. When Alice and Emmett acknowledge their attraction, things can only get worse.
Cole’s narrative shifts between Emmett and Joel, tackling capitalism, discontent, right-wing politics and its attendant paranoia in a novel which views the state of the nation through the lens of one family. Cole handles the rivalry between the bothers well and there are some very pleasing digs at modern life backed up with strong characterisation, but I found this one less satisfying than his previous novel.