Status Updates From The Man Who Loved Children

A dysfunctional family in the 1940s. The mother is made to be a monster initially, but the father is the one you slowly grow to hate. His abuse is nearly invisible but then overt. Lack of accountability, enmeshment, honeyed manipulation. I nearly find myself sympathizing with the monster.

God, this is such a slog! I feel like every time I dive back into it, I'm taking medicine that tastes awful. It's supposedly good for you, but you dread consuming it. Can someone who's read this coach me on how I should look at the book, or how to better appreciate it, etc? Or, if you can't do that, commiseration is also welcome.