Before delving into this ambitious family saga, we are forewarned that this is not going to be a happy tale. This is evident from a major event in the story, the 1980 kidnapping of factory owner Carl Fletcher while he was in his car outside his mansion in Middle Rock, Long Island, New York. For those familiar with "the Island" this appears to be a fictionalized portrayal of the town of Great Neck. Carl's wife Ruth is pregnant with daughter Jenny, and they have two young boys, Nathan and Beamer. Carl’s mother Phyllis is the family matriarch of this wealthy Jewish family and takes charge of the horrible situation as their ultra-affluent community is in shock that such a crime could happen there. It is not a spoiler to reveal that Carl is released after five days. However, the impact of his abduction will have a lasting impact on every family member. Despite their wealth, the trauma becomes so profound that each of them becomes the victims of this crime.
The story moves ahead to when Carl and Ruth's three children are grown, and their trauma has fully manifested itself in their lives. Having never having to worry about money, the family is now faced with the threat of losing it all.
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner brought a wide range of emotions. There were moments when I teared up, and it also had me laughing out loud from some of the great dialogue between the characters, some of whom are likeable and many who are not. Zelig, the long-deceased patriarch of the Fletcher family, came to the U.S. after escaping Poland, where his entire family perished during the Holocaust. Could he have ever imagined that the wealth he worked so hard to build would ultimately do such damage to his descendants? The book is beautifully written, although not always easy to read. Beamer, the middle son, has a thirst for drugs and sex, leading to unpleasant activities. This impressive yet often exhausting saga made me appreciate my modest upbringing in nearby Brooklyn.
Rated 4 out of 5 stars.
Literary Fiction.
Publication Date: July 9, 2024.
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