Status Updates From Am Flussufer ein Feuer

It is a credit to Mathis that I am 270 pages in, and I just realized that I don't know what the book is about. It's fascinating- I understand the characters. I sympathize with their sadness and fury. I understand why Cass is rebelling against society. I understand why Ava wants Toussaint to be part of society. I understand why Toussaint doesn't know where he belongs.
But what is the book about?

SEPTA, hoagies and the Cherry Hill Mall.

This may be the closest I have ever read to a local story. It's weird- I don't think I would have been friends with Toussaint- I made friends at school. But my mom and Ava would have bonded over gardening. Even though she would have encouraged Ava to get that boy to school.

You can see which threads are being braided. As each character is introduced and their story continues, you can see where they might meet. But given the upheaval in their lives, there is no guarantee that anyone will make it to the end. Chaos and uncertainty are part of all of their lives.

I am very curious to see what Cass is planning.

Every so often, I read a book that makes the most mundane, or saddest material into a book I can't stop reading.

The way I know that Mathis is an excellent writer is that she is writing about a mother and son in a homeless shelter into a completely compelling story.

If you know Philadelphia, it will help, but it isn't necessary. There is also a story about a mother/grandmother who lives in a unique town in Alabama.