Today I have a review of Tiny Americans by Devin Murphy, available on March 12, 2019 from Harper Perennial. As a HUGE fan of Murphy’s debut, The Boat Runner, I was ecstatic to get my hands on his newest for review. Please read on for my thoughts.
My Thoughts:
Tiny Americans is my favorite kind of story. A quiet family saga, one where we follow these people over decades witnessing each of them come of age in their own way.
The story begins in 1978. The Thurber family lives in Western New York. Three children, one female, two males (Jamie, Lewis, and Connor), along with their parents, Catrin and Terrance. The parents’ marriage is dysfunctional, an all-too-often push-pull with a side of drinking.
There are moments of beauty where the father takes his children out into nature, listening to the heartbeat of trees, sleeping under the stars.
Eventually, Terrance leaves the family, though. As much as he tries, he can’t hold it together. The children’s resentment towards both parents grows over time. Years pass, and the children leave for their own respective futures, with plans to never look back on their broken apart family.
The children may not have looked back, but Terrance isn’t done with the family yet. He is sober now and full of apologies. Terrance doesn’t realize all the baggage and scars his adult children carry now.
Tiny Americans is a quiet portrait of a family that could be any family. It represents the ebb and flow of families, as they may come together for a purpose and slowly drift back apart.
Overall, I was absorbed in the story of the Thurbers. I wanted them to heal their rifts and forgive their pasts. Eventually I came to accept that this was their story, and the complexity that was their family’s life only added to the authenticity and even relatability. Devin Murphy, what story will you bring us next? I’ll be waiting!
I have to mention there are some scenes of harm to small animals, namely mice and a hamster.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
From the National Bestselling author of The Boat Runner comes a poignant, luminous novel that follows one family over decades and across the world—perfect for fans of the film Boyhood.
Western New York, 1978: Jamie, Lewis, and Connor Thurber watch their parents’ destructive dance of loving, hating, and drinking. Terrance Thurber spends this year teaching his children about the natural world: they listen to the heartbeat of trees, track animal footprints, sleep under the star-filled sky. Despite these lessons, he doesn’t show them how to survive without him. And when these seasons of trying and failing to quit booze and be a better man are over, Terrance is gone.
Alone with their artist mother, Catrin, the Thurber children are left to grapple with the anger they feel for the one parent who deserted them and a growing resentment for the one who didn’t. As Catrin withdraws into her own world, Jamie throws herself into painting while her brothers smash out their rage in brutal, no-holds-barred football games with neighborhood kids. Once they can leave—Jamie for college, Lewis for the navy, and Connor for work—they don’t look back.
But Terrance does. Crossing the country, sobering up, and starting over has left him with razor-sharp regret. Terrance doesn’t know that Jamie, now an academic, inhabits an ever-shrinking circle of loneliness; that Lewis, a merchant marine, fears life on dry land; that Connor struggles to connect with the son he sees teetering on an all-too-familiar edge. He only knows that he has one last try to build a bridge, through the years, to his family.
Composed of a series of touchstone moments, Tiny Americans is a thrilling and bittersweet rendering of a family that, much like the tides, continues to come together and drift apart.
Have you read Tiny Americans, or is it on your TBR? Did you read The Boat Runner? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Great review, Jenn, and a lovely photo. I absolutely adore your cats!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, thank you, Stephen! I’m fortunate they want to be part of the photos! This book was so well-done. I loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review, picture, and sweet kitty., Jennifer. I have not read this family saga and added it to my tbr list. Enjoy the weekend. 🌺❤️📚😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Virginia! I think you’d enjoy this book! It’s well-written and engaging. I’ll never forget this family. ♥️ Happy Friday and weekend! Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the warning about harm to small animals in the book, Jennifer. Enjoyed your review, too. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laurie, and you’re welcome. I hate that I had to mention it, and it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book overall, but it disheartened and disturbed me to read it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t like to see any animals harmed either. 😔 My 18 year old cat is sitting right beside me as I’m typing this. Oh….I loved your picture by the way. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Laurie! I love that you have your 18 year old cat there. ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve seen him go from infant to toddler to adolescent to adult to senior to geriatric. We’ve had him since he was 3 months old. It’s hard to imagine coming home and not having him lying near my feet. You really get attached to them. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely understand. I had my last two kitties from 2 months old to just shy of 17 years old and lost them both in 2018. One in May and one in December. I absolutely adore my cats I have now, but I am always going to miss my two babies. ♥️ I hope you have your sweet boy for many more loving years. Xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohhh….I’m sorry. Two babies in the same year. That’s hard. 😔 I’m glad you found another two lovable ones. 🥰
Thanks, Jennifer. I hope so too. 😉🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Laurie. It was so hard and only six months apart. ♥️ I found THREE lovable ones. 😂 I went big!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful review, Jennifer. Sounds like this family was quite realistically portrayed. The story sounds heartbreaking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Diana! It definitely felt realistic and the family is so relatable. It was an emotional read, but there are some good happy moments, too.
LikeLike
I loved Tiny Americans and also enjoyed The Boat Runner. Devin Murphy has quickly moved to my list of favorite authors. Great review of Tiny Americans.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Susan! He is such a special author! I’m so happy you are a fan, too, and I’m pretty sure I remember discussing our mutual love for The Boat Runner. Both outstanding reads! Thank you for reading my review. ♥️
LikeLike
Always love reading your review, Jennifer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Marialyce!
LikeLike
I do love family sagas, especially the ones with messy relationships. Thanks for your review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tammy! Me, too. I never tire of them. The dynamics are always intriguing!
LikeLike
I like how this spans such a wide time frame. It adds so much depth and perspective. Excellent review, Jennifer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jonetta! Me, too! It was amazing the amount of time he covered without disconnecting us from the characters!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’m not really big on reading family sagas because I lived through my own, so don’t really want to relive that. So I’m probably missing out on a lot of good books, like this one. Ah, such is life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s totally understandable, Alexandra. As long as you are reading books you love, that’s all that matters. ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw! The poor small animals. 😦 Wonderful review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Chrissi! ♥️
LikeLike
I’m always so happy when the kitty is in the pic 😄 I click on your review and I’m thinking: oooo will there be a cat in the photo again?! 😂 I don’t think the book is for me but great review nonetheless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kelly! Aww, I love that. I’m happier, too, when they “choose” to be in the pics. 😂 ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review, Jennifer. I’d probably enjoy it…but I probably couldn’t read it because of the animals. I’ve had to put aside a few books just for that reason alone. 😦 It still sounds lovely! I hope you’re having a wonderful Friday! xoxo ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Steph! I understand. I hate I had to mention it, but I did. For what it’s worth, I was able to skip over the parts…It was still a five star read for me, and I’ll read whatever this author writes. He’s phenomenally talented. I hope your weekend is going wonderfully so far! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve had to mention that before from a few books and always hate doing it, but I think it’s better to tell too. At least you were able to skip those parts! I’ve not read his books, but I may have to even this one if I can skip the bad parts. Thanks, it’s been a good one! I hope you’ve had a wonderful one too. xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review! I’m really interested in this book after reading your thoughts on it, it sounds like an engrossing read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Hayley! It really was! It kept me completely engaged.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like a lovely family saga with a complicated story – thank you for sharing, Jennifer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah! It was such an engaging story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review Jen and beautiful picture! Hope you are feeling better and that we both get some rest this weekend. I finally broke down and went to my new NC doctor today. My left ear was completely blocked, couldn’t hear a thing. This morning while driving my daughter to high school they were talking about bugs and spiders crawling in people’s ears……well, I practically ran to the doctors office!!🤪 Anyway, I have an ear infection(what? I’m not 5) and hope the meds work there mojo soon! Haha that is my NC tale for today!!😊💜😷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sus! Aww, I’m so sorry about your ear infection! The same thing has happened to me, and I had no idea! I bet your body is getting acclimated to the new climate. Do you have allergies? Feel better, my friend! ♥️
LikeLike
This sounds like a complex story & thank you for the warning about the harm to the small animals. It’s good to know that before going into the book!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, LP! I think so too! Always better to be prepared!
LikeLike
Fantastic review as always! This looks intriguing and heartbreaking!🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Berit! It was a tenderly told story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awwww The cat in the pic!! How cuuute!! ❤️❤️Anw great review, Jennifer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jee! 🐱 ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
That little kitty is looking very much at home there! Hmm… the harm to animals would put me off this, I fear, so thanks for the warning. My first pet was a hamster…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, FF! She has definitely made herself at home here, along with the other two. ♥️ I understand. We had hamsters and gerbils and all kinds of pets growing up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard of this one. Wonderful review, Jennifer! 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Darinda! It was a wonderful read! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay, I’m slightly over the cuteness overload of your kitty❤️. Wonderful review, sounds like we get deep into the dynamics of this family. I may pick it up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rose! ♥️ 🐱 I love stories of family dynamics. Always so fascinating!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
not all endings are happy endings, but that only makes it more real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely, Jina!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds beautiful Jenni! Wonderful review 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Beth! It was perfect storytelling! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person