Casebook

Snooping. Part of growing up and making sense of the world and our place in it involves observation of others, especially our parents. Miles Adler-Rich, the protagonist of Mona Simpson’s novel, Casebook, goes from observation to spying and snooping, especially about his parents. As with many other kids, including his friend, Hector, Miles lives in a family that has experienced divorce. The boys don’t quite understand their parents (who does?), and conclude that there must be impenetrable family secrets involved. What Simpson does so well in this novel of contemporary American domestic life is present a love story alongside the process of growing up. Thanks to using Miles as the lens through which we understand these families, Simpson offers a fresh perspective on what can seem overdone by other authors. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Casebook from amazon.com.