I think this book has a very important message. Simply put, don't count your chickens before they hatch. The Plumb "children" spent so much time and energy making poor decisions while waiting for their deceased dad's money to bail them out, that they weren't even enjoying their lives. All four of the adult Plumb children drove me crazy. They were so wrapped up in "the nest" that they didn't see what they had right in front of them: people who loved them; people who wanted to make a life with them aside from "the nest". It was interesting that Melody and Jack's husbands told them not to live their lives waiting for the nest "windfall", because it might never happen.
I guess Bea irritated me the least, so I will start with her. Her whole life revolved around Leo. She couldn't even write about anything unless it was about Leo. I could not figure out why she was so "frozen" in life. I didn't bother me that she walked around in vintage clothes and stayed at an unrewarding job just because.... It's just that she wanted to make writing her career and all she could think to write about was Leo's selfish life. I didn't really know what to make of Paul. He actually wasn't portrayed as something "worthy" of Bea until the end of the novel. I guess it depended on who was talking about him. Nathan respected him, but that was difficult to determine initially. Leo obviously did not. It took Bea a really long time to come around to Paul, but she seemed happy at the end.
Melody was so wrapped up in appearances - and stalking her daughters - that she didn't seem to enjoy life either. Since her father's death, she seemed to be biding her time until she turned 40! Honestly, she could have died by then - and then where would she be! Her life choices were made with "the nest" in her head at all times. That's no life, in my opinion. She had a very patient husband! I loved that she realized (finally!) that there is more to life than a house in the "right" neighborhood and ivy league colleges for her daughters. It's called being happy with what you have and loving the people that love you back.
Jack. I was not a fan of Jack. He had this wonderful man that loved him despite his many faults - that accepted him for who he was. (Walker was my favorite character in the book, actually. I am glad that Walker found happiness with someone else at the end. I hope he got the children he had always wanted too.) Jack was selfish and greedy - and desperate. He didn't deserve Walker. Walker was strong in his commitment to Jack, and strong in his dismissal of Jack. Again, I really liked Walker!
There is nothing that I liked about Leo. In the end though, he is the one that missed out big time. He got his money, but he lost his family; he lost the woman who loved him; he lost the daughter he never knew he had. I guess he got what he deserved, but what a waste.
While reading this, I didn't quite get why so many people I know loved this book - until the end. I can't say I loved the book, but I did love the ending. I like when I see seriously flawed characters go through some sort of redeeming transformation. Bea, Melody and Jack's lives were better for having lost "the nest". They learned what was important in life and that people should be treasured, not money. I love how they took in Stephanie, since she didn't have any family of her own. I think Stephanie was an excellent replacement in the Plumb family for Leo.
Wendy's Rating: ****
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