Douglas Kennedy - State of the Union

review by Corinna Christopher on show 22nd Sept 2011
Set in America in the sixties this is one very good read and once immersed in the story I found it difficult to put down.

Hannah is a disappointment to her artist mother and famous radical father. Invited by her father to attend a rally where revolutionary ideals are aired and criticism is made of Nixon’s government , she first meets up with a young firebrand, Toby.

Against her father’s wishes she foregoes a career and after graduation marries her doctor boyfriend Dan.

Dan is starting his lifetime work in a small New England town where they settle down into a rather dull routine. With small son Jeffrey to look after and not much else to do Hannah is soon bored even though she manages to get a part time job in the local library.

With the arrival of Toby suddenly appearing into Hannah’s life whilst Dan is away visiting his dying father, a series of unfortunate events occur resulting in Hannah being coerced into breaking the law.

The second part of the book skips on 30 years and this transgression remains forgotten as Hannah and Dan live harmoniously together, the epitome of well to-do successful Americans. Hannah has an interesting job as a teacher and continues to have a very close friendship with her lifelong friend Margy. Daughter Lizzie has a successful banking career but unfortunately is having an affair with a married man, causing her mother lots of worry.

Then something extraordinary happens and Hannah’s life goes into freefall and everything changes. Toby comes over all pious and repentant and decides to write a book about his errant past. In spite of altering all the names Hannah is instantly recognised in the book. Dan is betrayed, priggish son Jeffrey and wife Shannon disown her and daughter Lizzie disappears – things couldn’t be worse. News headline reads “MISSING GIRL’S MOM WAS ONE-TIME LOVER OF FBI WANTED RADICAL”
With a large assembly of characters it is impossible to relate the relevant events but suffice to say that the storyline and conclusion are gripping. Kennedy is brilliant at understanding the minds of stylish and troubled women and the details are moving and perceptive.

I have read two other books by this author but this one is in my mind much the best. A wonderful read in which to escape for awhile