What Makes a Family

by Colleen Faulkner

Nestled in the Chesapeake Bay, Brodie Island is charming, remote, and slow to change. For three hundred years, Abby Brodie's farming family has prospered there. Now, years after leaving to make her way on her own terms, Abby is coming home to see her ailing grandmother, with her teenage daughter and a wealth of memories in tow. Yet as family members gather at the old farmhouse, Abby realizes this visit offers more than a chance to say goodbye.

After decades of feeling she was a disappointment as a daughter, Abby is beginning to see that her mother, too, has struggled to feel a sense of belonging within the Brodie family. Celeste, Abby's self-centered sister, is far from the successful actress she pretends to be, and needs help that only Abby and their half-brother, Joseph, can give. But most surprising of all is the secret that Grandmother Brodie has been carrying--one that will make each woman question her identity and the sacrifices she's willing to make to gain acceptance.

With her trademark emotional honesty and insight, Colleen Faulkner lays bare the challenges at the heart of a family--learning how to forgive, connect, and let ourselves be truly known at last.

Genres: Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2017

About the author

Now writes as Colleen French.

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!  The expected publication date is January 31st, 2017.

This is the story of what happens when a dysfunctional family gathers together while the matriarch is on her deathbed.  Told from the view of each of the woman, you get a different perspective and take on the family dynamic.  It is not surprising that each woman does not see things the same as the next.

While the story was a little slow at times, I was hooked by the story of mom Brodie and her secret.  As this story came to light, I kept looking forward until the story would switch to her point of view so that I could see how all of the pieces tied together.  Compared to her story, the others were not remotely as interesting.

As in most stories, there is also the person to dislike and in this case it was Celeste.  Talk about a train wreck however I will divulge only what the synopsis says.  No spoilers in this review!  I also had a hard time identifying and liking little Joe due to the actions of his past.  Perhaps my judgemental side coming out but I couldn't help it.  Again you would have to read to find out why.

At the end of the day this story is about the family dynamic and how everyone struggles to fit in and find their place within the family.  It is about identity and the struggle between who you want to be and who you really are.  Fans of womans fiction may enjoy this family struggle.

[Sarah Yee · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was just well-written and entertaining enough to keep me reading. The final chapters, though, were a frustrating disappointment! Everything just ended up too trite and convenient and ruined anything redeeming about the rest of the book.

[Patti Steidlmayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg so good!!! I didn't want it to end.

[Julie Jordan Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I started my recent road trip I stopped at a Goodwill to pick up some books that seemed like easy, pleasant reading that wouldn't require too much focused attention but would have an interesting enough storyline to keep me entertained.

"What Makes a Family" by Colleen Faulkner did that for me.

It is the story of a wealthy (but doesn't show it) family whose life on Bodie Island (the family is Bodie, they basically own most of the Island) nestled in the Chesapeake Bay may look idyllic, but we soon learn there are mysterious dysfunctional elements as we witness the matriarch on her death bed.

I liked most of the characters - who at times leaned towards Hallmark Movie familiar except the storyline did not wind up with a big red bow on it - we don't know all the specific outcomes but we do get an idea that everything will turn out "happily ever after" for those with the most troubling storyline.

The story is told from a variety of points-of-view which could have been cut in half from my perspective.

There are still mysteries involving the history of Birdy/mother to the main characters and her relationship to Mom Brodie, the matriarch who died. I enjoyed the mother/daughter dynamics throughout and the son, born of an affair and bi-racial to boot - would be fun to see more developed in other books.... so obviously I enjoyed it enough to read more chapters from many of these people's lives.

It fulfilled an important purpose for me: a pleasant companion after long days on the road... and without a complete resolution at the end (though definitely could read more happily ever after for everyone than not.)

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sarah Agnes, the family matriarch, is on her deathbed at the home she shares with Joe, her son, and Birdie, his wife (and also Sarah Agnes' adopted daughter). Abby and Celeste, Joe and Birdie's daughters, along with Sarah, Abby's daughter, and Joseph, Joe's illegitimate son, have gathered to say their good-byes. Abby is in a happy marriage with Drum and Celeste is a has-been actress looking to mooch off whoever she can. Birdie is a cold mother who does what she has to do in taking care of her family.

I wasn't crazy about this book. It's really drawn out and draggy so by the end, I really didn't care. The story is told in first person perspective in Abby, Sarah Agnes, Birdie and Celeste's voices (the chapters are labelled). I found Abby boring, Birdie was cold (it would have been nice to know why she was the way she was) and Celeste was too unrealistically self-centred. I was more into Sarah Agnes' story of when she was younger and it was interesting as Sarah, her great granddaughter, dug and learned more about her.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2025/03...

[alwaysneed2learn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but found the ending a little strange... not that it didn't "fit" with the rest of the novel, but it seemed a bit "flat" overall.
Despite being told from several different point of views, I didn't feel the book lost momentum switching back and forth between characters. In fact, the pacing of the story was spot-on.
I found that I enjoyed the historical story told from Mom Brodie's viewpoint the best. I wish that was the center of the novel (and not the selfish/superficial escapades of the flighty sister, Celeste).
Without giving anything away, I also thought basing the entire book on Mom Brodie's inevitable death and then really glossing over the situation when it happened was interesting.
Still, I read (and seemed to enjoy) the entire book and would recommend it to others...

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time I read a book by this author, and I must admit that I am EXTREMELY late in reading my ARC copy!! However, better late than never. I found it a bit slow in the beginning but there were enough moving pieces to keep me wondering how it was going to turn out; I wanted to know what happened when the grandmother died (no spoiler here, we know from the very beginning that's going to happen!). The latter part of the book really made the story and therefore, I was glad I stuck it out and the ending made me really like the book! I think the story line was purposely written this way and I thought it worked well. I would certainly try another book by this author. Thanks for the free copy I won here on Goodreads!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chick Lit

This is a good chick lit. Interesting story line but I would of liked to know more about little Joe's story. Did he love Birdie or not? Also I would of liked to know more about why Mama Brodie took Birdie out of the orphanage. All the characters are good but I have to say that Celeste is a horrible person. Selfish through and through. I will read another book from this author.

I recommend this if you are in the mood for a chick book.

[Jennifer Yanos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an excellent look at the complexity of family dynamics. This book was full of interesting twists combined with delightful predictabilities and some stereotypical characters. I was intrigued from the beginning and it kept me captured through the end. Although the end want at all what I expected, the surprising twist was really wonderful and gave more insight into each character giving a realistic finish. Definitely will be recommending this book to friends.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It's all about family dynamics. It takes place in a small town on the Chesapeake Bay over a span of a few days. The 100 year old family matriarch lies in a coma, dying from cancer as three generations of her family gather. There's some really interesting, sometimes funny interactions as they learn exactly who will be named in her will and who she has excluded. Also, her unexpected early years are discovered by her great granddaughter. Kept me interested.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading something from this author. Thanks Goodreads! A great women's story about a family coming together on the home island for the death of the family matriarch. Laughter, tears, rivalries, twists and turns in the few days leading up to her passing. And at the base the love that glues everyone together. Totally enjoyed the characters and everything about this book.

[Lauren Ozanich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. Familial anxiety stories stress me out especially when they aren’t anything terribly catastrophic, like this was. An attempt the make deep characters but I didn’t like any of them, until the very end, even then I’m not a big fan. Some of the little stories and imagery of the bay was really good, and I liked young Sarah the most, but wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every family has a unique structure. Each member brings something different to build the unit. Some are strong, one may be frivolous to the point of dysfunctional, others work behind the scenes to hold it all together. Holding it all together is the most difficult and Exhausting.

He when there is a tragedy or a loss in a family the true faces come through.

I loved of the story.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting. It took a family who, on the surface, seemed ok, and delved in to the past and present problems of each. Content wise, I believe it was pretty alright (besides the party Aunt, who you feel bad for, for a second). The ending was ironic, but seemed to fit.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the story told from the pov of different generations of women at different times in their lives. But there were just too many pov's. The wild sister was just boring w/ no insight into why she was the way she was. Too many of the plot lines were too predictable. So just 2 stars.

[Charlene Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what to think.

Not sure I liked the book. Not sure I linked the characters. But it made me think so I guess the author did her job. The characters stayed true to themselves and the grandmother's story kept me reading all the way through.

[Jackie Weisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delightful Surprise

I got this on a whim because I grew up in MD near the Bay, but I was delightfully surprised at how engaging the story was. I couldn't put it down and look forward to more of Faulkner's books.

[Trudy Jaskela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grandma Brodie was near death. It was discovered that she had a tattoo. That created much interest by all and research by great-granddaughter Sarah.

Families are complex. Need to learn how to accept differences, forgive and love.

[Kimberly Funk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It’s written from 5 characters point of view. There are 4 generations but the oldest character is in a coma, dying, remembering her teenage life. Each character was interesting. It had a satisfying ending.

[Daise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written. But, somewhat boring.

[Lorraine Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story; now I need to go back and read the author's other two books.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story! Makes you wonder if you really know your family. Makes you wonder if you are in the place you should be, doing what you should.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow to start, but one of the best last lines in a book. This book hit on all emotions.

[What Angie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book. I was in love with all the characters.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the family dynamic. There can definitely be at least a sequel! I'd be interesting in hearing more about the characters.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a nice story with some interesting twists. A quick read that kept your interest and was entertaining!

[Betty Seaman]

Excellent !!! Author truly captures the dynamics of this family. Couldn't put it down!!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felt as if this book was made about me. So many of the same feelings and situations.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could’ve given her 3 1/2 stars I would. For me it was very long and very difficult to get into but in the end it was exactly what I thought

[Kristine Delano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about family and what it means to be there at the end. How the lives we live with the ones we love tell only a bit of the story. The truth becomes are own.