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Set against the backdrop of Redwood forests and shimmering vineyards, Seré Prince Halverson's persuasive debut tells the story of two women, bound by an unspeakable loss, who each claims to be the mother of the same two children. To Ella Beene, enjoyment means moving into the North California river town of Elbow with her spouse, Joe, and his two young children. Yet one summer day, Joe breaks his own rule - never turn your back again on the sea - and a sleeper influx strikes him down, drowning not only the man but his many secrets. For 3 years, Ella has been the only mother the kids have known and has presumed that their biological mother, Paige, forgotten them. However when Paige shows up at the funeral, intent on reclaiming the children, Ella soon realizes there may be more to Paige and Joe's history. "Ella's the best thing that's happened to the family," say her close-knit Italian-American in-laws, for decades the proprietors of a local market. But their devotion quickly falters when the custody fight between mother and stepmother urgently and powerfully collides with Ella's quest for truth. The Underside of Happiness is not really a fairy-tale version of stepmotherhood pitting good Ella against evil Paige, but an exploration of the complicated romantic relationship of two mothers. Their issue uncovers a map of scars - both physical and mental - on the family members' deeply buried tragedies, including Italian internment camps during World Conflict II and postpartum psychosis. Weaving a wealthy imaginary tapestry abundantly alive with the glorious natural splendor of the novel's setting, Halverson is a captivating guide through the nature of human feelings: grief and anger, pity and forgiveness, enjoyment and its shadow complement... the lower of joy.

Category: Family Life