STARRED Book Review: This Is Who We Are Now

Reviewed by Lisa Parker Hayreh

A sassy, hilarious, heartwarming, and provocative surprise

Henry Bradfield finds himself back in his hometown in Vermont with his extended family for a milestone birthday that he would prefer to ignore. He arrives to find his childhood mementos being offered in a garage sale, with his younger brother directing the sale. 

When some of Henry’s vintage comic books are sold to the son of his high school sweetheart, this touches off conflict as well as provocative questions about this past romantic relationship. Henry’s quarreling teenaged children, his wife, his parents, his alcoholic sister Margo, Margo’s boyfriend, and his nieces and nephews are all pulled into the drama that ensues. 

Henry discovers unanswered questions and lingering attraction to his former flame. Why exactly did their relationship end years ago? What might have developed between them had they continued their relationship? As Henry grapples with these questions, he is confronted with the discord and emotional distance in his marriage.

He must also face the animosity from his younger brother and navigate the old resentments between them. Like any parent, Henry must contend with the divergent agendas of his teenaged sons while wrestling with his myriad dilemmas. After Henry’s wife leaves the family reunion unexpectedly without farewell, Henry is forced to confront his issues more directly and choose his path forward.

Redemption, humor, and love shine through the tragic, the inept, and the mundane in this family’s relationships. Henry is a frustrated yet compassionate protagonist who has nonetheless become a halfhearted presence in his own life. 

All characters are incredibly well-developed and interact in refreshingly candid ways. Henry’s wife Denise is thoughtfully painted in complex layers, illuminating the difficulties in her marriage to Henry as well as her individual struggles. Erin, Henry’s high school sweetheart, is a strong presence in her own right, who has carved out a life after tragedy working as a single mom to raise her teenaged son. Henry’s brother highlights the thriving sibling rivalry between him and Henry. Margo serves as a faithful support for Henry throughout the novel, revealing her alcoholism and her own painful struggles along the way. Margo’s boyfriend is at turns ridiculous and endearing. Henry’s parents offer alternating exacerbation and soothing of the family angst throughout the action of the novel. Henry’s sons illustrate the emotional challenges of navigating adolescence while also giving us glimpses into the loving power of parental guidance.

As the novel progresses, Henry more actively forges his relationships and his path forward.  More vulnerability and kindness also emerge from Henry in the face of his increasing challenges. 

This delightful novel presents steady action balanced with vivid setting descriptions and snappy, engaging dialogue. The end result is a fresh take on adult existential struggles and extended family drama. A thoroughly enjoyable read, this fictional drama proves that a family reunion with a group of highly flawed people can still deliver happiness, love, redemption, and hope.

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