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Steps and Exes: A Novel of Family
Celia Henry owns the most famous bed-and-breakfast in the whole Northwest. At Henry's House on Isadora Island, Celia has created a faux-family homestead, a testament to tradition. Personally, however, Celia's unconventional love life has kept Isadora Island entertained for a generation. Married only once and widowed at twenty-two, Celia has spent a lifetime preaching (and practicing) Unfettered Love, preferring unions free of matrimony, free of the ties that bind -- and can just as easily strangle. Despite all the domestic upheaval, she has acquired a large extended family of children, stepchildren, partners, and ex-partners. Generous and spirited, but notoriously stubborn, Celia nonetheless draws people into her arms and her home. When, much to Celia's dismay, her daughter Bethie announces her engagement, Celia reluctantly agrees to throw a lavish celebration. To this party she must invite everyone in her whole overextended her steps and exes, their current partners and starchy in-laws, as well as a host of island eccentrics. As the big day approaches, Celia senses impending disaster. But nothing prepares her for the fallout when the nuclear family explodes and she must reconstruct the past in order to transform the future.
- GenresFiction
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 30, 2019
I am in the middle of a big move. This involves laying hands on A LOT of books. Some of which I haven't touched in a long time. Step and Exes has been on my shelf for probably 15 years. This book was worth the wait. Published in 1999, some of the ideas in the book already seem dated... but its interesting to approach with the filter of time. This novel touches on universal themes love, family, women's roles and forgiveness. While reading, I felt surprised how much I thought the cultural zeitgeist on some of these issues had changed in two decades. Upon further reflection, I look at the change between the 1950's and 70's and perhaps I shouldn't be so surprised. And... perhaps we haven't changed as much as I thought. The prose is strong and there are moments of brilliance. At times, some romance seemed a little forced and heavy handed... but I think that was an overall stylistic choice with the novel. Overall, this 20 year old book is worth a visit. Enjoy your time in the Puget Sound, I found it a worthwhile trip.
February 27, 2008
For good or for bad, the primary figure in this book sounded a whole lot like me. So that was a little bit strange. She is a woman in middle-age, who once again finds herself surrounded by all of her children and step-children and once-were-step-children and ex-lovers and ex-husbands and all of their extended families. I couldn't help but think of all the times in my life when at least 30 people had a key to my house. And then, about 2/3 through the book, the plot takes a twist that I just somehow never ever ever expected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2011
"Marriage is nothing but a property arrangement between people who have decided to consolidate their assets and register themselves as card-carrying dupes to convention."
"Steps and Exes" was a hit with my book club of women varying in age from 35 to 70-plus. The title refers to the stepchildren, ex-spouses and ex-lovers who remain part of one's molecular family, if not the nuclear family.
"In the molecular family people are connected without being bound. They spindle themselves around shared experiences and affections rather than splashing in the shared gene pool. Families like ours created from the rag ends of other families, molecularly connected to make something entirely different, combined to create a new whole."
On the fictional Isadora Island, Celia Henry runs a bed and breakfast and lives a life unfettered by conventions such as marriage (and fidelity, at times). She teaches her children and step-children to do the same. A cast of well-drawn characters move in and out of Celia's life, eventually revealing that her vision of unfettered love is as romanticized as the fantasy of getting married and living happily ever after.
The depiction of a modern family touched a chord with me. The writing is lively and very funny. Midway through, some dark themes emerge, which only strengthen the narrative. Celia is a strong, strong woman, and I really enjoyed this book.
One woman in my book group said she'll recommend this book to everyone, and another one said she liked it as much as "The Help."
"Steps and Exes" was a hit with my book club of women varying in age from 35 to 70-plus. The title refers to the stepchildren, ex-spouses and ex-lovers who remain part of one's molecular family, if not the nuclear family.
"In the molecular family people are connected without being bound. They spindle themselves around shared experiences and affections rather than splashing in the shared gene pool. Families like ours created from the rag ends of other families, molecularly connected to make something entirely different, combined to create a new whole."
On the fictional Isadora Island, Celia Henry runs a bed and breakfast and lives a life unfettered by conventions such as marriage (and fidelity, at times). She teaches her children and step-children to do the same. A cast of well-drawn characters move in and out of Celia's life, eventually revealing that her vision of unfettered love is as romanticized as the fantasy of getting married and living happily ever after.
The depiction of a modern family touched a chord with me. The writing is lively and very funny. Midway through, some dark themes emerge, which only strengthen the narrative. Celia is a strong, strong woman, and I really enjoyed this book.
One woman in my book group said she'll recommend this book to everyone, and another one said she liked it as much as "The Help."
March 5, 2009
Larua Kalpakian's style reminds me of Ann Patchett's in Bel Canto. Both writers are gifted in character development. Kalapakian is writing about family and each member emerges crisply idiosyncratically from the page. Through the interactions of the characters, she explores the dynamics of relationships in a modern family that is a mix of steps and exes, half sisters and step brothers, unmarried co-habitators, and in-laws. More importantly she takes a good look at the after effects of growing up in a family that was far from traditional. A friend recommended this book, when I was talking about the changing nature of my own family and the struggle we have had regrouping as it reconfigured. I think Kalpakian's story delves right into the heart of the matter, touching on the good, the bad, and the lovely of getting along and caring about folks who are essentially one's family.
September 12, 2016
This book makes me think of "Mama Mia" without the singing and with a very twisted and sickening part to the plot. Specifically, and without spoilers, Wade is a despicable character and the weakness in Bethie's character makes me dislike her immensely.
August 20, 2025
Holy guacamole! And you thought YOUR family was a hot mess! Wait till you read this novel. It's well-written. There are a LOT of characters to keep up with; interesting characters who live lives quite differently than most of us would consider normal or acceptable. Then halfway through this novel a shocking event turned this into a real page-turner. I won't spoil it. Just that I couldn't put this book down. Powerful!
May 19, 2023
Such a pleasure to return to Isadora Island, finding familiar and new characters. Messy family secrets keep the twisting story unexpected yet authentic. And the descriptions of what it feels, smells, looks like to live in Washington! I'm right at home.
February 23, 2009
I was in Palm Springs over the weekend, taking pictures of Lautner and Frey at the "soft" (maybe hard-boiled) opening of The King's Motel. Walking through the rooms of the not-quite-ready hotel, I was reminded of this book--how she ran a bed and breakfast and how completely taken I was with the idea of such a thing. Specifically, I remember a passage saying the mother, Celia, kept the drawers of her guest rooms filled with odds and ins people would find interesting and want to take. None of the things were expensive and all could be replaced: their whole raison d'etre was to be removed by those staying there, for the people to find some sort of sentimental attachment and want to pocket them.
They were quartz and thimbles, handkerchiefs and postcards, and I remember loving the idea of it and wishing to stay in a bed and breakfast and maybe, some day, run one.
After the weekend in Palm Springs I drove back and mentioned having wanted to run one and reminded myself to add these books, because, quite honestly, there are few I've loved more than Kalpakian's. I found this as a lark, a bargain book, I think, as a teenager, and later sought out it's sequel, Educating Waverly, as soon as it was released.
For me, this book had it all: the lovely Pacific Northwest, which I'd never seen; characters bearing at least three names, which added to their character development intensely--not to mention historical fiction threaded through (Isadora Duncan plays a role as do her ideologies and ballet) and the thought of this island. I know I couldn't get it out of my head: Isadora Island, so isolated and desolate, like Island of the Blue Dolphins or something a kin.
And so, now I've added it: Steps and Exes and Celia and Henry House. I've never heard anyone else mention this novel, and I'm not even sure there's a copy,though I imagine there's still one on the shelves of my bedroom in Missouri--I had to be fifteen or sixteen, but I so saw myself in those characters: hoping my adult self would be a little like Celia and unapologetic and independent--with some of Victoria with her careful nature and sophistication--all mixed with a heritage and lineage found in this book--it truly is great, I'm on a quest to find it again, and I certainly hope I'm not over doing it, but I think it will prove worthy of re-reading and promoting.
They were quartz and thimbles, handkerchiefs and postcards, and I remember loving the idea of it and wishing to stay in a bed and breakfast and maybe, some day, run one.
After the weekend in Palm Springs I drove back and mentioned having wanted to run one and reminded myself to add these books, because, quite honestly, there are few I've loved more than Kalpakian's. I found this as a lark, a bargain book, I think, as a teenager, and later sought out it's sequel, Educating Waverly, as soon as it was released.
For me, this book had it all: the lovely Pacific Northwest, which I'd never seen; characters bearing at least three names, which added to their character development intensely--not to mention historical fiction threaded through (Isadora Duncan plays a role as do her ideologies and ballet) and the thought of this island. I know I couldn't get it out of my head: Isadora Island, so isolated and desolate, like Island of the Blue Dolphins or something a kin.
And so, now I've added it: Steps and Exes and Celia and Henry House. I've never heard anyone else mention this novel, and I'm not even sure there's a copy,though I imagine there's still one on the shelves of my bedroom in Missouri--I had to be fifteen or sixteen, but I so saw myself in those characters: hoping my adult self would be a little like Celia and unapologetic and independent--with some of Victoria with her careful nature and sophistication--all mixed with a heritage and lineage found in this book--it truly is great, I'm on a quest to find it again, and I certainly hope I'm not over doing it, but I think it will prove worthy of re-reading and promoting.
June 21, 2012
This is not the kind of book I normally love, but somehow, I love it unreservedly. It's written in a fresh voice, with a warm and deft style that makes the characters as flawed and lovable as if they lived next door and you saw them every day. Certainly Laura Kalpakian has had a few misses (that silly sequel to Les Miserables comes to mind), and there are certainly books on my list that are much better-written. But this one really breathes, on every page.
November 8, 2010
This book has change, strength, human frailties, courage, love, family, and endurance. Kalpakian’s characters are real and don’t leave you. She draws her women as clearly and believably as Barbara Kingsolver in Poisonwood Bible. The book’s ending stimulates the reader’s imagination into inventing the final chapter. I loved it!
March 4, 2014
This took me a little bit longer to read than I expected, but I enjoyed the story and the characters. I did not see it coming, the secret that shattered the lives of the complicated family structure and I found myself wishing the story didn't end so abruptly. I will search for more books from this author.
March 6, 2015
My favorite book, have read it at least 10 times! For me, it described my life with my family, my children, my attitudes during my own "adult ness"! This is not a book for romance lovers, it's a book for those of us who lived the period!
March 9, 2009
This was a book I could honestly relate to being a mother, ex-wife, and girlfriend. It was a great story that wasn't too chick-litty and fluff-filled.
July 7, 2009
Really like the book, and wish I could be as 'strong-willed' as the main character: some of the 'emotion's playing' seems unreal, but nevertheles, this book is an excellent read.
January 15, 2011
book 6 of 2011 - aim for 133 books for the year ...
review: great imagery. I would love to visit hehe
review: great imagery. I would love to visit hehe
September 1, 2013
It is an interesting book. Everybody create your own future walk a specific road even if your parents didn't live the conventional way. You make your own life.
December 19, 2023
2.5/5 Celia is so goddam real
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews