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The Family String
A darkly funny and poignant coming of age story by an extraordinary new voice Meet Dorcas, a spirited 12-year-old struggling to contain her irrepressible humour and naughty streak in a family of Christadelphians in 1960s Adelaide. She is her mother’s least favourite child and always at the bottom of the order on the family’s string of beads that she and her younger siblings Ruthy and Caleb reorder according to their mother’s ever-changing moods. Dorcas, an aspiring vet, dreams of having a dog, or failing that, a guinea pig named Thruppence. Ruthy wants to attend writing school, and Caleb wants to play footy with the local team. But Christadelphians aren’t allowed to be ‘of the world’ and when their older brother Daniel is exiled to door knock and spread the good word in New South Wales after being caught making out with Esther Dawlish at youth camp, each try their hardest to suppress their dreams for a bigger life. But for a girl like Dorcas, dreams have a habit of surfacing at the most inopportune moments, and as she strives to be the daughter her mother desires, a chain of mishaps lead to a tragedy no one could have foreseen. This is a superb coming of age story that explores a fraught mother-daughter dynamic, and the secrets adults keep from their children. It is about resilience, and the loves that sustain us when our most essential bonds are tested, and how to find the way back through hope and forgiveness.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2022
9 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 5, 2023
Twelve-year-old Dorcas is a character whom I fell in love with straight away. This book takes you on an emotional journey of laughter and tears, but most of all it touches on some important topics like religion, mental health and relationships.
The Family String by Aussie author Denise Picton is a wonderful debut novel and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next. A heartwarming and heartbreaking story that I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys and appreciates a well-written book with strong characters and a storyline that will pull at the heartstrings.
The Family String by Aussie author Denise Picton is a wonderful debut novel and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next. A heartwarming and heartbreaking story that I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys and appreciates a well-written book with strong characters and a storyline that will pull at the heartstrings.
June 9, 2022
Twelve-year-old Dorcus, her sister, ten year old Ruthy and little brother, eight year old Caleb loved being in the tree house where Ruthy would mark down in her notebook what sort of a day their mother was having. Was it a Jesus day, when she was happy? Or a head day, when she spent her day in bed? They could always tell when it was a cross day, she’d be yelling so much. The string of beads they hid in the tree house was controlled by Caleb and he positioned each bead showing their mother's love for them all. Dorcus was on the bottom as the least loved child, and their older brother Daniel, was away in NSW because of a misdemeanor his siblings didn’t know about. But Caleb was at the top, below their parents, as the favourite child and Ruthy was not far behind Caleb.
The family were Christadelphians living in Adelaide in the 1960s and their lives mostly centred around their church and school. Their dad worked long hours while their mum was forever frustrated with the children, especially Dorcus. Dorcus could never manage to think before she spoke, and it was forever getting her into trouble. Old Mr Driver lived next door and Dorcus loved him, visiting often. When Dorcus wanted a guinea pig named Sixpence and her mother was adamant in her refusal, she would find comfort either up in the tree house or talking to Mr Driver. But mishaps continued to worsen, were escalating, until one day everything broke, and nothing would be the same again…
The Family String is the debut novel of Aussie author Denise Picton, narrated by Dorcus, and is a coming-of-age story set in Adelaide in the 1960s. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking, a delightful read. I loved the irrepressible character of Dorcus, who tried so hard to be the child her mother wanted her to be, but her love of adventure and exploring always saw her in trouble. Ruthy was a sweet, intelligent child while Caleb was adorable. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.
With thanks to Ultimo Press AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
The family were Christadelphians living in Adelaide in the 1960s and their lives mostly centred around their church and school. Their dad worked long hours while their mum was forever frustrated with the children, especially Dorcus. Dorcus could never manage to think before she spoke, and it was forever getting her into trouble. Old Mr Driver lived next door and Dorcus loved him, visiting often. When Dorcus wanted a guinea pig named Sixpence and her mother was adamant in her refusal, she would find comfort either up in the tree house or talking to Mr Driver. But mishaps continued to worsen, were escalating, until one day everything broke, and nothing would be the same again…
The Family String is the debut novel of Aussie author Denise Picton, narrated by Dorcus, and is a coming-of-age story set in Adelaide in the 1960s. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking, a delightful read. I loved the irrepressible character of Dorcus, who tried so hard to be the child her mother wanted her to be, but her love of adventure and exploring always saw her in trouble. Ruthy was a sweet, intelligent child while Caleb was adorable. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.
With thanks to Ultimo Press AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2022
This is such a great debut book, one that I would highly recommend, come along and meet twelve year old Dorcas, it is 1969 and she lives with her family in the suburbs of Adelaide, they are members of the Christadelphians religion, Dorcas is the second child after Daniel who is seventeen but not living at home at the moment then there is ten year old Ruthy and Caleb is eight.
Dorcas, Ruthy and Caleb have a tree house that they spend a lot of time in and Ruthy has notebooks that she likes to write in, they are her journals and each day they decide what sort of a day their mother is going to have, a Jesus day meant she was happy a head day was one where she spent it in bed and Dorcas was always trying her best to do the right thing and please her mother, this was hard for her, trouble seemed to be her middle name, these days. They have a string with different coloured beads on it representing each member of the family, mother at the top because you love your mother meant that Dorcas seemed to be further away from her mother’s bead because she wasn’t the favourite child and was always doing the wrong thing.
Their religion plays a big part in what they can and can’t do and their mother is very strict on the rules Dorcas seems to be getting further away from her mother with her request to have a pet which could make Caleb have an asthma attack, so Dorcas is very good at making up stories and very good ones where she is in armor and running a place called caramel run by girls and she can have her pets.
Life isn’t easy for Dorcas and Denise Picton has portrayed her life so well, this is a beautiful story of Dorcas coming of age and yes it is heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time, there are many emotions throughout the book some that made me yell and scream some that made me very sad, and some that had me smiling there are some very witty parts. It is a compelling story that I thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to many more books from this author, a must read.
My thanks to Ultimo Press for my copy to read and review.
Dorcas, Ruthy and Caleb have a tree house that they spend a lot of time in and Ruthy has notebooks that she likes to write in, they are her journals and each day they decide what sort of a day their mother is going to have, a Jesus day meant she was happy a head day was one where she spent it in bed and Dorcas was always trying her best to do the right thing and please her mother, this was hard for her, trouble seemed to be her middle name, these days. They have a string with different coloured beads on it representing each member of the family, mother at the top because you love your mother meant that Dorcas seemed to be further away from her mother’s bead because she wasn’t the favourite child and was always doing the wrong thing.
Their religion plays a big part in what they can and can’t do and their mother is very strict on the rules Dorcas seems to be getting further away from her mother with her request to have a pet which could make Caleb have an asthma attack, so Dorcas is very good at making up stories and very good ones where she is in armor and running a place called caramel run by girls and she can have her pets.
Life isn’t easy for Dorcas and Denise Picton has portrayed her life so well, this is a beautiful story of Dorcas coming of age and yes it is heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time, there are many emotions throughout the book some that made me yell and scream some that made me very sad, and some that had me smiling there are some very witty parts. It is a compelling story that I thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to many more books from this author, a must read.
My thanks to Ultimo Press for my copy to read and review.
August 1, 2025
After rereading this I have bumped it up to 5 stars, mainly because I love Dorcas so much.
The title refers to a string which Dorcas’ brother, Caleb, threads beads onto. A bead for their mother and father, and each of the four siblings. The order of the beads reflects the order of favouritism from their mother, the length between beads changing upon their behaviour. Dorcas is always the last bead, sometimes struggling to remain on the string.
It is the 1960’s and Dorcas’ family are Christadelphians living in Adelaide. Christadelphians, a Christian group who live in isolation, shunning general society apart from school and work.
Picton writes well, establishing a strong rapport between reader and character. Dorcas is such a wonderful character to read. Deep, rich, lovable. However, with a mischievous streak, she is perpetually in trouble, always putting her foot in her mouth, not intentionally, but unable to stay quiet. In her own words, “often naughty, but not stupid”. Credit must also go to Picton on how authentically she writes the story from Dorcas’ perspective. A child sees the world so differently than an adult.
The mother is chronically depressed having previously had a nervous breakdown. The children keep a record of her daily moods in a journal. The bad heavily outweigh the good. She struggles to live as a Christadelphian, at times yearning for her family back in Scotland and “normal” life. She treats Dorcas harshly, blatantly displaying her favouritism for her siblings.
Dark themes are explored. Mental health and abuse. When a twelve-year-old is repeatedly told they are a terrible child, they eventually believe it. The treatment Dorcas receives from her mother is a form of mental abuse, crossing the line into physical abuse when she throws a metal potato masher at her.
An enjoyable read about mental illness and the misconceptions and effect it can cause to a family.
The title refers to a string which Dorcas’ brother, Caleb, threads beads onto. A bead for their mother and father, and each of the four siblings. The order of the beads reflects the order of favouritism from their mother, the length between beads changing upon their behaviour. Dorcas is always the last bead, sometimes struggling to remain on the string.
It is the 1960’s and Dorcas’ family are Christadelphians living in Adelaide. Christadelphians, a Christian group who live in isolation, shunning general society apart from school and work.
Picton writes well, establishing a strong rapport between reader and character. Dorcas is such a wonderful character to read. Deep, rich, lovable. However, with a mischievous streak, she is perpetually in trouble, always putting her foot in her mouth, not intentionally, but unable to stay quiet. In her own words, “often naughty, but not stupid”. Credit must also go to Picton on how authentically she writes the story from Dorcas’ perspective. A child sees the world so differently than an adult.
The mother is chronically depressed having previously had a nervous breakdown. The children keep a record of her daily moods in a journal. The bad heavily outweigh the good. She struggles to live as a Christadelphian, at times yearning for her family back in Scotland and “normal” life. She treats Dorcas harshly, blatantly displaying her favouritism for her siblings.
Dark themes are explored. Mental health and abuse. When a twelve-year-old is repeatedly told they are a terrible child, they eventually believe it. The treatment Dorcas receives from her mother is a form of mental abuse, crossing the line into physical abuse when she throws a metal potato masher at her.
An enjoyable read about mental illness and the misconceptions and effect it can cause to a family.
April 23, 2022
A simply beautiful yet emotionally charged book about family relationships and love, told from the perspective of a young girl Dorcas. The voice of Dorcas is very innocent and perfectly portrays her inability to truly see what is unfolding around her. The most important undertone of this book is mental illness and the importance of family support and understanding. Denise captures so well, what it is like for children to live with a parent experiencing deep depression, despite really understanding their parents’ erratic behaviour. At times funny, at other times heart wrenching, this is a superb debut which has genuinely touched my soul.
December 20, 2022
Poor Dorcas, my heart was breaking for this twelve year old girl living in the confusion of an adult world in 1969 suburban Adelaide. The story is narrated by the wonderfully curious and bright character, Dorcas, one of four children in a family of Christadelphians. It’s a what-not-to-do catalogue of parenting where a series of terrible events leads to her being outcast, feeling unloved and confused. There is sadness and mental illness at the heart of this story but also optimism and hope in the beautiful, irrepressible spirit of Dorcas.
July 4, 2022
Oh this book tugged at my heart strings constantly. I fell in love with Dorcas and her innocent worldly view. At times I was chuckling away and other times my heart ached for what was going on. Dorcas felt so real and alive, as did all the characters in this debut novel. A fantastic novel that had me coming back until it was finished to know if Dorcas (and my heart that was fully invested) would find peace in her resilience, even for one day.
November 1, 2022
Me, throughout reading this book:
“Aw man. Poor Dorcas.”
“Oh, no. Poor Dorcas..”
“Gee Dorcas that was a bit naughty.”
“Wow. Poor Dorcas..”
Poor Dorcas. She is 12 and goes through a lot. Her mum doesn’t seem to like her, for starters. I kept waiting for her life to start on the uphill, like surely after *this* things will turn. I enjoyed this read, and it’s dark humour, but I think the ending happened all too quick. I would’ve appreciated it to be fleshed out more.
“Aw man. Poor Dorcas.”
“Oh, no. Poor Dorcas..”
“Gee Dorcas that was a bit naughty.”
“Wow. Poor Dorcas..”
Poor Dorcas. She is 12 and goes through a lot. Her mum doesn’t seem to like her, for starters. I kept waiting for her life to start on the uphill, like surely after *this* things will turn. I enjoyed this read, and it’s dark humour, but I think the ending happened all too quick. I would’ve appreciated it to be fleshed out more.
May 29, 2022
Thank you Ultimo Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
A family drama and coming of age story told through the eyes of a twelve year old.
Dorcas is the oldest girl in a family of six.
She is opinionated, a little bit naughty, head strong and loves animals.
There’s a lot going on in the Wilson household.
Brothers Caleb and Daniel are busy being teenagers and youngest Ruthie continues to write.
Dad is doing his best looking after them all and Mum is trying her hardest to please everyone.
Sundays are for church and they all must respect god.
But for Dorcas, the least favourite child, she seems to open her mouth at the wrong time and appear at the most awkward moment, she just wants her mother to love her.
Then a series of incidents lead to tragedy.
Beautifully written and full of emotion, wit and humour this debut about family relationship dynamics and one stand out child is a heart and soul experience.
Set in suburban Australia in the 1960’s, there’s quite a numbers of throwbacks and isms to take a trip down memory lane for those who will remember.
A book full of heart and delivering plenty of smiles while reading.
Warm, fun, sad in parts and with moments of laughs.
A memorable read that touches on some serious themes revolving around siblings and their parents and how it effects everyone.
A new author to watch who has the ability to give all the feels and completely draw you in to their work.
A family drama and coming of age story told through the eyes of a twelve year old.
Dorcas is the oldest girl in a family of six.
She is opinionated, a little bit naughty, head strong and loves animals.
There’s a lot going on in the Wilson household.
Brothers Caleb and Daniel are busy being teenagers and youngest Ruthie continues to write.
Dad is doing his best looking after them all and Mum is trying her hardest to please everyone.
Sundays are for church and they all must respect god.
But for Dorcas, the least favourite child, she seems to open her mouth at the wrong time and appear at the most awkward moment, she just wants her mother to love her.
Then a series of incidents lead to tragedy.
Beautifully written and full of emotion, wit and humour this debut about family relationship dynamics and one stand out child is a heart and soul experience.
Set in suburban Australia in the 1960’s, there’s quite a numbers of throwbacks and isms to take a trip down memory lane for those who will remember.
A book full of heart and delivering plenty of smiles while reading.
Warm, fun, sad in parts and with moments of laughs.
A memorable read that touches on some serious themes revolving around siblings and their parents and how it effects everyone.
A new author to watch who has the ability to give all the feels and completely draw you in to their work.
May 31, 2022
I LOVE books written from a child's point-of-view. It can be hard for writers to nail the voice without it sounding contrived, but if it's done well it offers an opportunity for a story to be delivered without much of the nuance we usually get from a narrator who - whether they mean to or not - adds a layer of subjectivity.
The events of The Family String by Denise Picton are relayed to us by not-always adorable though desperately likeable, 12 year old Dorcas.
I worry when writing reviews for books I adore in case I’m not able to convey how much I loved them in a way that is convincing and impassioned rather than just gratuitously gushing. I sobbed – in what I can only describe as a violent manner – when I first read this book. And even when redrafting this review (a week or so later) I emerged scathed with red-rimmed eyes and a blotchy face.
I very rarely (once or twice a year - maybe) give a book five stars but this certainly deserves it. It's a book (its story and characters) I won't forget in a hurry... and perhaps Dorcas will stay with me forever.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
The events of The Family String by Denise Picton are relayed to us by not-always adorable though desperately likeable, 12 year old Dorcas.
I worry when writing reviews for books I adore in case I’m not able to convey how much I loved them in a way that is convincing and impassioned rather than just gratuitously gushing. I sobbed – in what I can only describe as a violent manner – when I first read this book. And even when redrafting this review (a week or so later) I emerged scathed with red-rimmed eyes and a blotchy face.
I very rarely (once or twice a year - maybe) give a book five stars but this certainly deserves it. It's a book (its story and characters) I won't forget in a hurry... and perhaps Dorcas will stay with me forever.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
June 23, 2022
What a fabulous debut novel. I loved it from beginning to end. I was in floods of tears in parts. Dorcas was so endearing and loveable. I just wanted to take her home with me. I would have been her friend at school, for sure!
This novel gave me an insight into Christadelphians and their style of worship and lifestyle. Whilst it was set in their world of belief, this book was about so much more than religion and worship. It really was a story of family and how each member of that family has their own story and truth to be told.
The relationship that these siblings had was beautiful. They may bicker and fight but they are always there for each other. As the children struggle to understand why their Mother behaves as she does, they are together in this.
This book was so wonderfully written I could place myself in their treehouse with them as they looked out onto their world and the world of their neighbours.
Do yourself a favour and grab this book and meet the wonderful Dorcas for yourself!
This novel gave me an insight into Christadelphians and their style of worship and lifestyle. Whilst it was set in their world of belief, this book was about so much more than religion and worship. It really was a story of family and how each member of that family has their own story and truth to be told.
The relationship that these siblings had was beautiful. They may bicker and fight but they are always there for each other. As the children struggle to understand why their Mother behaves as she does, they are together in this.
This book was so wonderfully written I could place myself in their treehouse with them as they looked out onto their world and the world of their neighbours.
Do yourself a favour and grab this book and meet the wonderful Dorcas for yourself!
March 20, 2023
Loved this. Really sad but also moving and hopeful. Dorcas is a great character, resilient and endearing.
June 20, 2022
Five twinkling stars for Denise Picton's brilliant debut, 'The Family String.'
This is the masterfully written story of spirited twelve year old Dorcas Wilson, the least preferred but to my mind most loveable child in her family of six. It is an entertaining story of how our clumsy adult efforts to protect our children (or ourselves) by hiding the truth can make things so much harder for them.
It surges with wonderfully clever humour without trivialising important issues; and it narrates life through a sensitive yet spirited twelve year old's take on the world without patronising or simplifying. But be warned... it will definitely make you laugh out loud and in places it will break your heart. And I guarantee it will make you think.
'The Family String' captured me from the first page and I cannot remember the last time I found it so hard to put a book down. If you want a read that is different, with extremely realistic and engaging characters, word-smithed to perfection, and that will leave you wanting more, you must read 'The Family String'.
I cannot wait for Denise's next book.
This is the masterfully written story of spirited twelve year old Dorcas Wilson, the least preferred but to my mind most loveable child in her family of six. It is an entertaining story of how our clumsy adult efforts to protect our children (or ourselves) by hiding the truth can make things so much harder for them.
It surges with wonderfully clever humour without trivialising important issues; and it narrates life through a sensitive yet spirited twelve year old's take on the world without patronising or simplifying. But be warned... it will definitely make you laugh out loud and in places it will break your heart. And I guarantee it will make you think.
'The Family String' captured me from the first page and I cannot remember the last time I found it so hard to put a book down. If you want a read that is different, with extremely realistic and engaging characters, word-smithed to perfection, and that will leave you wanting more, you must read 'The Family String'.
I cannot wait for Denise's next book.
November 6, 2022
Oh boy, this novel resonated deeply. Raised in a strict religious household, where everything out there was ‘worldly’, I went on an emotional journey with 12 year old Dorcas, whose spirit and personality refuses to be stifled by her Christadelphian family. One of the most heartfelt books I’ve read this year.
July 15, 2022
At first I laughed aloud, but then I wept for Dorcas, not just for a scene, but page after page. THANK YOU, Denise Picton, for this original, heartfelt story and thank you for finally leaving me uplifted. 👏😇📗
November 22, 2022
How on earth do I recommend a book that made me cry so much?
In the beginning, I laughed along with “naughty Dorcas”. Such an imaginative child testing the boundaries and making a good time whenever she can. But then later the veil slips and her mums depression gets very dark and I cried for the rest of the book.
Oh it was beautiful and sad. I needed this so much.
Thankyou Denise. Thank you for sharing the Wilson’s with us.
In the beginning, I laughed along with “naughty Dorcas”. Such an imaginative child testing the boundaries and making a good time whenever she can. But then later the veil slips and her mums depression gets very dark and I cried for the rest of the book.
Oh it was beautiful and sad. I needed this so much.
Thankyou Denise. Thank you for sharing the Wilson’s with us.
July 17, 2022
4 stars
Loved it !
Loved it !
Want to read
November 7, 2022I learned of this book via this post: https://jillsbookcafe.blog/2022/11/07...
February 13, 2023
I loved this book and would go with 4.5 stars rating. The book is dark, poignant and so sad whilst managing to be funny at the same time - written from the perspective of 12 year old Dorcas who is her mothers least favourite child. She takes on responsibility for all the issues within the family. The children are adorable in the way they negotiate the trauma of the dysfunctional family life.
July 21, 2024
This is not a lighthearted read, but twelve year old Dorcas, and her siblings, are all engaging in different ways. After reading a few chapters I initially put this book aside but, after a break of a few weeks, picked it up again and took it to read on a long flight.
Dorcas' and her world are believable and heartbreaking. Reading about her mother made me so angry. It is really well written, from the perspective of Dorcas. The storylines are very realistic, there are some heavy themes, and I think that this is what made me find this book uncomfortable to read - though I am glad that I've read it. This book made me consider the expectations and changes that have occurred in society, since the 1960s, particularly around parenting and mental health.
I cried at the last few chapters and the ending. I was left with an uneasy feeling about the future of this family and their relationships with each other.
It was an interesting exploration of religious constraints, mother/child relationships and a coming of age story set in the 1960s, in Adelaide.
Dorcas' and her world are believable and heartbreaking. Reading about her mother made me so angry. It is really well written, from the perspective of Dorcas. The storylines are very realistic, there are some heavy themes, and I think that this is what made me find this book uncomfortable to read - though I am glad that I've read it. This book made me consider the expectations and changes that have occurred in society, since the 1960s, particularly around parenting and mental health.
I cried at the last few chapters and the ending. I was left with an uneasy feeling about the future of this family and their relationships with each other.
It was an interesting exploration of religious constraints, mother/child relationships and a coming of age story set in the 1960s, in Adelaide.
December 15, 2022
Adult novels written from a child's viewpoint can really be hit and miss. the good news is that this one is a hit! Dorcas is funny, witty, wise yet naïve, entertaining and a joy to spend time with. She tries to make sense of her world, including her mother's obvious mental illness, her father's adherence to the rules of the Christadelphians and the many troubling events and situations around her. As an adult reader, we can see what is obviously happening sometimes while Dorcas struggles to understand, making her struggles and discoveries all the more poignant. Dorcas' sister Ruthie and brothers support her as best they can, while working out the world for themselves. I initially picked up this book due to an interest in fundamental "Christian" sects and the practice of such religions. I couldn't put it down due to my absorption into Dorcas world and life. Really looking forward to what this new author does next.
June 16, 2022
A seriously special book from a writer that hopefully will write more wonderfully evocative, witty and intriguing books, that is as good as this!! The quality is there!
Dorcas, (the central character who you can’t help but love) is bought alive by this author’s subtlety revealingly take on all those religions that, you know, subversively want to control everything, including you.
It’s ludicrous, but sadly all too real.
But you’re never bogged down in the story because it flows with great ease, and it’s so readable.
It’s engaging and intriguing and it’s really just a lovely, lovely book.
I’ve not gravitated to books on religious sect’s, and probably never will but if you read one book about this weird and wacky world, this is it!!
Dorcas, (the central character who you can’t help but love) is bought alive by this author’s subtlety revealingly take on all those religions that, you know, subversively want to control everything, including you.
It’s ludicrous, but sadly all too real.
But you’re never bogged down in the story because it flows with great ease, and it’s so readable.
It’s engaging and intriguing and it’s really just a lovely, lovely book.
I’ve not gravitated to books on religious sect’s, and probably never will but if you read one book about this weird and wacky world, this is it!!
December 27, 2022
A hard book to rate. I’ll settle about 3.7. It’s a commendable debut novel and one of a batch to come out this year from,and set in, Adelaide.
The concept of ‘ family string’ is excellent both as a theme and an organiser. The children in the family come to life. The story, sadly, makes sense. What I think doesn’t quite work, is the portrayal of the father. While, at the end of the book, he takes responsibility for family disjunction, the narrative makes real the mother’s difficulties, leaving the father as a bit of a background fixer/intervenor/saviour.
It’s a complex and difficult story to tell. Picton captures the nuance and logic of distressed children’s thinking and behaviour. The adult explanations don’t, in my view, quite work as well.
The concept of ‘ family string’ is excellent both as a theme and an organiser. The children in the family come to life. The story, sadly, makes sense. What I think doesn’t quite work, is the portrayal of the father. While, at the end of the book, he takes responsibility for family disjunction, the narrative makes real the mother’s difficulties, leaving the father as a bit of a background fixer/intervenor/saviour.
It’s a complex and difficult story to tell. Picton captures the nuance and logic of distressed children’s thinking and behaviour. The adult explanations don’t, in my view, quite work as well.
October 1, 2022
This book made cry and cry and cry. I was beautiful, emotional and heartbreaking all at once. Cannot recommend it enough.
July 2, 2022
http://jessjustreads.com
Denise Picton’s debut novel The Family String explores 12-year-old Dorcas’ childhood in 1960s Adelaide within a strict religious household. Her family are Christadelphians, a denomination of Christianity that leaves little room for fun, culture or entertainment. Dorcas is an energetic, free-spirited child who struggles within the confines of the family home, is always getting into trouble with her mother, and who doesn’t quite understand why her actions are always being punished.
Because the book is written from Dorcas’ perspective, it allows for a fun and lively perspective. Her voice is insightful and hopeful, and so even when the book takes a dark turn, we feel the heart and soul of the story permeating with each passing chapter. Not every reader will love reading from Dorcas’ perspective, but she is an intelligent and observant character and allows for an entertaining journey.
“To record our views about the order of Mum’s love, Caleb used six wooden beads he got from Mr Driver next door. Caleb nominated the best gold one as Mum and put her bead at the top of a piece of string that was thick enough to hold the beads exactly where he put them on the thread.”
The Family String does well to weave in so many overarching themes in the book without feeling contrived or rigid. A key exploration in the story is the dynamic and complex relationships between mothers and daughters, and the importance of repairing a broken relationship. The Family String also explores depression and how people regarded depression in the 1960s, as well as religion and religious constraint within the family home.
Strengths also lie in the secondary characters – the compassionate Mr Driver was one of my favourites. The community is close-knit and sometimes this causes friction within Dorcas’ family. In a town where everyone knows your business, tensions rise and arguments spark. I’m sure readers from small towns will be able to relate!
“I was still in the bad books for going down to the shop one night after school and buying ten cents’ worth of mixed lollies and putting them on the tick under Mum’s name. Mum was furious when she found out I’d charged them to her account and yelled at Mrs Abrahams in the shop as much as she yelled at me.”
Admittedly, I did feel that the turning point in the novel came a bit too late in the story. A great portion of the novel is setting up the dynamic within the family and the community and so the pacing does start to lull a bit in the middle of the book – I was starting to question the direction of the book, wondering when the climax of the story was going to near.
Ultimately, the book explores a fractured relationship between mother and daughter and how they have to reconnect after a family tragedy. But this family tragedy comes quite late in the story, and I would’ve liked more time to be spent in the aftermath of that tragedy rather than the events preceding it.
And whilst I loved Dorcas’ perspective and her wild nature, it doesn’t ever feel like she learns from her mistakes or spends much time reconciling with her actions. I know she’s a child, but some of her actions are deliberately rebellious and there is quite a horrific tragedy at the end of the story, and there doesn’t ever seem to be much contemplation coming through with Dorcas. She simply misbehaves and then moves on to misbehave again.
“One day, Mrs Johnson had said about the most wonderful thing I had ever heard. She told me that if my mum and dad gave permission, I could have Sixpence as my very own as soon as my dad made a safe enclosure in our garden. I was so excited I ran straight home and nearly knocked Mum over when I hurtled into the kitchen with the news. Her answer was a very firm no.”
Heartfelt fiction about family, responsibility and the impressionable years of our youth, The Family String is recommended for literary readers. Readership skews female, 30+
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Denise Picton’s debut novel The Family String explores 12-year-old Dorcas’ childhood in 1960s Adelaide within a strict religious household. Her family are Christadelphians, a denomination of Christianity that leaves little room for fun, culture or entertainment. Dorcas is an energetic, free-spirited child who struggles within the confines of the family home, is always getting into trouble with her mother, and who doesn’t quite understand why her actions are always being punished.
Because the book is written from Dorcas’ perspective, it allows for a fun and lively perspective. Her voice is insightful and hopeful, and so even when the book takes a dark turn, we feel the heart and soul of the story permeating with each passing chapter. Not every reader will love reading from Dorcas’ perspective, but she is an intelligent and observant character and allows for an entertaining journey.
“To record our views about the order of Mum’s love, Caleb used six wooden beads he got from Mr Driver next door. Caleb nominated the best gold one as Mum and put her bead at the top of a piece of string that was thick enough to hold the beads exactly where he put them on the thread.”
The Family String does well to weave in so many overarching themes in the book without feeling contrived or rigid. A key exploration in the story is the dynamic and complex relationships between mothers and daughters, and the importance of repairing a broken relationship. The Family String also explores depression and how people regarded depression in the 1960s, as well as religion and religious constraint within the family home.
Strengths also lie in the secondary characters – the compassionate Mr Driver was one of my favourites. The community is close-knit and sometimes this causes friction within Dorcas’ family. In a town where everyone knows your business, tensions rise and arguments spark. I’m sure readers from small towns will be able to relate!
“I was still in the bad books for going down to the shop one night after school and buying ten cents’ worth of mixed lollies and putting them on the tick under Mum’s name. Mum was furious when she found out I’d charged them to her account and yelled at Mrs Abrahams in the shop as much as she yelled at me.”
Admittedly, I did feel that the turning point in the novel came a bit too late in the story. A great portion of the novel is setting up the dynamic within the family and the community and so the pacing does start to lull a bit in the middle of the book – I was starting to question the direction of the book, wondering when the climax of the story was going to near.
Ultimately, the book explores a fractured relationship between mother and daughter and how they have to reconnect after a family tragedy. But this family tragedy comes quite late in the story, and I would’ve liked more time to be spent in the aftermath of that tragedy rather than the events preceding it.
And whilst I loved Dorcas’ perspective and her wild nature, it doesn’t ever feel like she learns from her mistakes or spends much time reconciling with her actions. I know she’s a child, but some of her actions are deliberately rebellious and there is quite a horrific tragedy at the end of the story, and there doesn’t ever seem to be much contemplation coming through with Dorcas. She simply misbehaves and then moves on to misbehave again.
“One day, Mrs Johnson had said about the most wonderful thing I had ever heard. She told me that if my mum and dad gave permission, I could have Sixpence as my very own as soon as my dad made a safe enclosure in our garden. I was so excited I ran straight home and nearly knocked Mum over when I hurtled into the kitchen with the news. Her answer was a very firm no.”
Heartfelt fiction about family, responsibility and the impressionable years of our youth, The Family String is recommended for literary readers. Readership skews female, 30+
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2022
I am finding this hard to pick how many stars. It was extremely well written but gosh the subject matter was bleak. If you liked Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden, you will probs like this.
It's about a highly religious family in Adelaide in the 1960s. Mum stays home to look after the children, the father would make the money but wouldn't have much to do with the children, except to take them to church on Sundays.
In this family the mother has mental health issues and doesn't take meds for it. She takes her anger and depression out on her children, saying nasty things and hurting them. The kids have worked out she has Cross Days and Jesus days. Jesus days are when she is happy.
Dorcas, the 2nd eldest of 4 (Daniel, Ruthy and Caleb) is the narrator. Daniel has been ostracised from the family, sent to live in NSW and rarely spoken about for an indiscretion with a girl. Caleb is favoured as he has asthma and breathing issues and often sick. Ruthy is a good girl and talented writer, and Dorcas is the girl with all the personality and spirit in a time when that was frowned upon.
Life is this family is hard. Hardest for Dorcas who is told everything is her fault. The kids suffer on the receiving end of the mothers mental issues, physical and emotional abuse.
The "family string" is something the kids come up with when the mother is having one of her Cross Days. The string has a bead for each of the family members, and the position on the string is how much love they feel their mother has for them. Dorcas is always at the bottom, even lower than Daniel.
After a number of horrible incidents, the mother runs off for a holiday in Scotland. Reminiscent of the times, the father ships the kids out to 3 different families. The kids aren't told anything and have no contact with each other except on Sundays. The father visits and has dinner with Ruthy and Caleb every week, but only sees Dorcas on Sundays at church.
Eventually the mother comes home, after a traumatic event. Daniel and Ruthy are returned home, but Dorcas is asked not to. She stays with a kind neighbour but is ostracised from them all.
It ends a bit happier than it starts, but still a bleak story of which I was glad it was over.
**I don't even smack my kids, but grew up similar to this (70s, no crazy mother) so reading about smacking brought back painful memories for me. I was also sexually abused by a neighbour down the road and banned from going there but never explained why. So reading Dorcas trying to work out what happened is familiar to me, not pleasant, but familiar. Is a good reminder of how far we have come with healthy family dynamics and dealing with mental health.**
It's about a highly religious family in Adelaide in the 1960s. Mum stays home to look after the children, the father would make the money but wouldn't have much to do with the children, except to take them to church on Sundays.
In this family the mother has mental health issues and doesn't take meds for it. She takes her anger and depression out on her children, saying nasty things and hurting them. The kids have worked out she has Cross Days and Jesus days. Jesus days are when she is happy.
Dorcas, the 2nd eldest of 4 (Daniel, Ruthy and Caleb) is the narrator. Daniel has been ostracised from the family, sent to live in NSW and rarely spoken about for an indiscretion with a girl. Caleb is favoured as he has asthma and breathing issues and often sick. Ruthy is a good girl and talented writer, and Dorcas is the girl with all the personality and spirit in a time when that was frowned upon.
Life is this family is hard. Hardest for Dorcas who is told everything is her fault. The kids suffer on the receiving end of the mothers mental issues, physical and emotional abuse.
The "family string" is something the kids come up with when the mother is having one of her Cross Days. The string has a bead for each of the family members, and the position on the string is how much love they feel their mother has for them. Dorcas is always at the bottom, even lower than Daniel.
After a number of horrible incidents, the mother runs off for a holiday in Scotland. Reminiscent of the times, the father ships the kids out to 3 different families. The kids aren't told anything and have no contact with each other except on Sundays. The father visits and has dinner with Ruthy and Caleb every week, but only sees Dorcas on Sundays at church.
Eventually the mother comes home, after a traumatic event. Daniel and Ruthy are returned home, but Dorcas is asked not to. She stays with a kind neighbour but is ostracised from them all.
It ends a bit happier than it starts, but still a bleak story of which I was glad it was over.
**I don't even smack my kids, but grew up similar to this (70s, no crazy mother) so reading about smacking brought back painful memories for me. I was also sexually abused by a neighbour down the road and banned from going there but never explained why. So reading Dorcas trying to work out what happened is familiar to me, not pleasant, but familiar. Is a good reminder of how far we have come with healthy family dynamics and dealing with mental health.**
February 14, 2023
this is not my usual crime fiction.
What struck me about this novel was that it is set in Rostrevor, very close to where I live now, and in the 1960s when Dorcas was 12 and I was in my late teens. The Adelaide that is depicted was very similar to the one that I knew even though I was a country girl, and not Christadelphian. However in the 1960s I was very Church-connected and so Dorcas's religious world was familiar to me.
Dorcas's mother obviously had mental health problems, partly because she had left Scotland come to Australia at a young age, she was home-sick, but also because she had three such disparate children. Her husband worked long hours and she got little chance to get out of the home because she didn't, and she resented that. Her social life was confined mainly to Church on Sundays and church events. She had converted to being a Christadelphian and other church members were very critical of how she dressed and how she behaved. In addition, her older son had been sent away because of how he had behaved at a church camp, and because he wanted to have a worldly career. As well as that, he younger son had serious health problems.
Dorcas was on the tip of becoming a teenager, could put her foot in her mouth very easily and her mother seemed to blame her for all the misadventures that befell the family. In addition Dorcas saw herself as the cause of most of the family's problems.
There was a lot of empathy from the author, and I enjoyed the book a lot. There were some extremely well drawn characters, and it easily took me back into the 1960s.
What struck me about this novel was that it is set in Rostrevor, very close to where I live now, and in the 1960s when Dorcas was 12 and I was in my late teens. The Adelaide that is depicted was very similar to the one that I knew even though I was a country girl, and not Christadelphian. However in the 1960s I was very Church-connected and so Dorcas's religious world was familiar to me.
Dorcas's mother obviously had mental health problems, partly because she had left Scotland come to Australia at a young age, she was home-sick, but also because she had three such disparate children. Her husband worked long hours and she got little chance to get out of the home because she didn't, and she resented that. Her social life was confined mainly to Church on Sundays and church events. She had converted to being a Christadelphian and other church members were very critical of how she dressed and how she behaved. In addition, her older son had been sent away because of how he had behaved at a church camp, and because he wanted to have a worldly career. As well as that, he younger son had serious health problems.
Dorcas was on the tip of becoming a teenager, could put her foot in her mouth very easily and her mother seemed to blame her for all the misadventures that befell the family. In addition Dorcas saw herself as the cause of most of the family's problems.
There was a lot of empathy from the author, and I enjoyed the book a lot. There were some extremely well drawn characters, and it easily took me back into the 1960s.
August 6, 2022
It’s been a while since I cried reading a book but this one, OH GOD! I SOBBED through the last 50 pages. I’m talking hiccup-sobs. My husband came in to check I was okay and I couldn’t speak. Just sobbed and pointed to the book.
#TheFamilyString is written from the point of view of 12yo Dorcas. Spirited and naughty in the eyes of the Christadelphian faith she’s been born into, she never quite knows what she’s done wrong. Her mother is struggling with depression and her family is hanging by a string, so to speak.
So many characters to love (and hate) and such humour, warmth and heart. Don’t read it in public unless you’re okay with everyone seeing your ugly cry.
Cannot praise it highly enough. You’re on a winner here @ultimopress. In the words of Dorcas, I “love love loved” it. 💗💙🧡💚
#TheFamilyString is written from the point of view of 12yo Dorcas. Spirited and naughty in the eyes of the Christadelphian faith she’s been born into, she never quite knows what she’s done wrong. Her mother is struggling with depression and her family is hanging by a string, so to speak.
So many characters to love (and hate) and such humour, warmth and heart. Don’t read it in public unless you’re okay with everyone seeing your ugly cry.
Cannot praise it highly enough. You’re on a winner here @ultimopress. In the words of Dorcas, I “love love loved” it. 💗💙🧡💚
May 25, 2022
A simply beautiful yet emotionally charged book about family relationships and love, told from the perspective of a young girl Dorcas. The voice of Dorcas is very innocent and perfectly portrays her inability to truly see what is unfolding around her. The most important undertone of this book is mental illness and the importance of family support and understanding. Denise captures so well, what it is like for children to live with a parent experiencing deep depression, despite really understanding their parents’ erratic behaviour. At times funny, at other times heart wrenching, this is a superb debut which has genuinely touched my soul.
Read by Suzie
Read by Suzie
June 11, 2022
excellent!
I can’t believe this is a debut novel. Told from the perspective of Dorcas, a 12 year old girl, in a family who were religious in a minority denomination church. Her mother was severely depressed and takes her frustrations out on Dorcas, who buys into the belief she is a horrid child.
I spent a lot of time quite angry at the parents. The character development is that well done! There is so much truth in the story…and heartache, but I spent a lot of time laughing, too. Writing the story from a child’s perspective was a brilliant way to get the story across. It was delightful.
I even managed to not be so angry with the adults by the end!
I can’t believe this is a debut novel. Told from the perspective of Dorcas, a 12 year old girl, in a family who were religious in a minority denomination church. Her mother was severely depressed and takes her frustrations out on Dorcas, who buys into the belief she is a horrid child.
I spent a lot of time quite angry at the parents. The character development is that well done! There is so much truth in the story…and heartache, but I spent a lot of time laughing, too. Writing the story from a child’s perspective was a brilliant way to get the story across. It was delightful.
I even managed to not be so angry with the adults by the end!
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