The Ones We Love, by Australian author Anna Snoekstra, is one of the books recommended by “Warm Winter Read” ambassador Christian White. It is a sure sign that the book features a mystery and a series of plot twists.
The mystery is presented at the start of the story, when 22-year-old Liv returns home covered in bruises but has no memory of her night out. Her parents are behaving weirdly, locking up her bedroom and avoiding to look each other in the eye.
As the story unfolds, we gradually become familiarised with the Jansen family and their recent transplantation from Australia to Los Angeles. The move is for Janus, Liv’s father, to chase the dream of having his horror novel adapted into a movie.
We learn that Janus is under immense pressure to succeed but struggles to balance between his own literary ideals and Hollywood’s demands for sensational and provocative content. All he knows is he cannot let his family down.
We further learn that Kay, Liv’s mother, has doubts about her marriage but is determined to do everything within her power to protect her children. Her perspective is intimately examined, allowing us to observe the profound impact of her past choices on her present life.
Meanwhile, the more is revealed about Liv’s life, the more apparent it becomes that she is a mess, unable to discipline herself and manage responsibilities as an adult. Not only does this create ample opportunity for others to take advantage of her situation, it also causes much grief.
And Casper, Liv’s younger brother, desperately wants to uncover the secrets in his family. To find his place in a strange city on the other side of the world is hard enough, but the teenager has no idea what kind of darkness his family is going to pull him into.
Then, how about the plot twists that are promised to readers? The story does not disappoint, but it is such a slow burn, and we are distracted by various side issues as well as an in-depth investigation of the inner demons tormenting Kay. The novel reads more like a psychological profile of a frustrated housewife than a mystery, especially when it becomes clear that Kay may or may not be involved in solving the story’s many puzzles.
With that said, Kay as a character is superbly developed and outshines the other members of her family, which makes one wonder whether it is exactly the point the author tries to make. While the solution to Kay’s problem presented at the end of the story seems extraordinary, it reminds us that every family has its own unique challenges and communication is the key.
The solution to Liv’s problem is also ambiguous, and, unfortunately, it does not seem to help us feel more sympathetic about her. In all, The Ones We Love gives us a handful of unlikeable characters, but it is a good portrait of a dysfunctional family.
Note: This book review was originally titled “A slow-burn mystery”.
Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音 