The Two-Family House, a debut novel by Lynda Cohen Loigman, was the perfect book to read on this rainy day. Although it spanned from the late 40s to early 70s, it read with the ease of contemporary fiction. The author had reasons for sticking to that time period. Nothing historical but because of societal norms.
The story revolves around two brothers, Abe and Mort, their families, and the impact a snap decision made on a snowy night had on all the family members. The two brothers jointly own a two-family house in Brooklyn and that's where they start to raise their families. The wives are closer than many real sisters. The cousins are close.
The plot was predictable. Without being told, very early on we know what major snap decision has been made. Even the ending was predictable at a certain point. The ending was wrapped up a little too neatly but that was okay.
Where this book excelled was in character development. We got to really know most of the characters as the story was told from 6 different perspectives. Somehow, Loigman made that work. We got to cheer when most of the characters showed growth in their capacities as human beings. The characters I liked least at the beginning of the tale were among the characters I liked most by the end.
My biggest disappointment with the book is that there was no real feeling of Brooklyn. No references to actual places. Nothing to make me, born and raised in Brooklyn, feel like the setting was my home town. No NYC Subway mentions, no talk of Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn Bridge. NOTHING! This story could have been set anywhere. It might not bother you but it made me crave touches of Brooklyn.
If you're in the mood for a warm book about family relationships, The Two-Family House might be for you. I look forward to seeing what this author works on next.
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