All Adults Here: A Read with Jenna Pick (A Novel)

A read with enjoyable characters. It that grew on me as the plot progressed.

More than meets the eye in this novel about families, aging, birth order, perceptions and authenticity.

Some books are enjoyed because of plot, some because of characters, others because of the tone or style of the language. One might recommend this book for the plot, which moves along, or possibly even the style, which is engaging, but probably not for the characters, most of whom seem more to become fully colored in, more than they grow throughout the book.

But there are plot points aplenty. The book nominally centers around the matriarch of the family, who has a stunning revelation to share with her three grown children. Her middle child, and only daughter, has a very different revelation of her own, and her eldest son is struggling with a weighty decision. Her granddaughter is struggling with a new school, and the reason she left her old school. There's more than enough here to keep us turning the pages.

My biggest issue with this book is the fact that they are not, in fact, all adults. The most compelling parts of this book come from children. Eighth graders, to be specific, as they navigate the difference between secrecy and loyalty, and what it means to really be someone's friend. It is these parts of the book that had the most meat to them.

The book "All Adults Here" was authored by Emma Straub. It is a work of modern fiction that was published in 2020 and examines family dynamics, personal development, and the difficulties of adult life. The Strick family is the focus of the tale, which is situated in the sleepy New York hamlet of Clapham. Astrid Strick, a widowed 68-year-old who serves as the family patriarch, is the main figure in the story. Astrid sees a horrific event involving a school bus and a young kid, which forces her to reevaluate her interactions with her older children and face the transgressions and secrets of her own past. The plot heavily involves Astrid's three adult children, who are all dealing with their own problems. Porter, her daughter, is the only parent of a teenage daughter.

"All Adults Here" by Emma Straub is a contemporary novel that follows the lives of the dysfunctional Strick family as they navigate their relationships and personal issues. While the premise of the novel is interesting, the execution falls short in several areas. One of the main issues with the book is that the characters are largely unlikable and underdeveloped. They are often frustratingly self-absorbed and lack the depth and nuance necessary to make them fully relatable and interesting. Additionally, the pacing of the novel is uneven, with long stretches of mundane day-to-day activities punctuated by sudden, dramatic events that feel forced and contrived. The transitions between these moments are often abrupt and jarring, making it difficult for the reader to become fully invested in the story. Another problem with the book is that it attempts to tackle too many themes and issues without fully exploring any of them. From sexuality and identity to motherhood and family dynamics, the novel touches on a wide range of topics but fails to dive deeply into any of them, leaving the reader feeling unsatisfied and wanting more. Overall, "All Adults Here" is a disappointing read that falls short of its potential. While the premise is intriguing, the underdeveloped characters, uneven pacing, and lack of depth make it difficult to fully engage with the story. While fans of Emma Straub's previous works may find some value in this novel, it is not recommended for readers looking for a fully satisfying or impactful contemporary novel.