All Adults Here
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Emma Straub has redeemed herself! The Vacationers, her 2014 novel, was a snooze-fest. So, I started All Adults Here, her 2020 novel, somewhat reluctantly, equipped with a pillow and eye-mask. I’m so glad that I did-- shout out to Emily Via for the recommendation and sorry that I spilled water on your book :(
All Adults Here spans three generations. There’s a lot of main characters (I’m not going to go back and count, but there are at least six) and Straub moves seamlessly between them. Each chapter features the perspective of a specific character, so we get to know everyone in intimate ways. We see how they perceive their own actions AND we see how the other characters perceive those same actions. This 360 view is hard to achieve, and Straub does it flawlessly, with distinct voices.
The novel is “about” a lot of things, but it’s mainly about familial relationships and personal growth. It’s set in a town that reminds me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls (she later admits that that’s what she was going for, so kudos to her for execution and kudos to me for being astute AF). It’s also very progressive. It covers many touchy issues: abortion, transgender identities, lesbianism, infidelity, death, etc. Some Goodreads reviewers complain that it’s too much, but I disagree. She includes a lot of complicated stuff because life is complicated. Screw you, Goodreads reviewers.
Overall, Straub has officially won me over. She’s charming (I loved the author interview at the end of the book) and skilled (her analogies are so spot-on, they feel like friendly punches in the face). I don’t normally read new releases, but it’s refreshing to read current references and I could relate to her story more fully. All Adults Here receives 5 out of 5 flames.
