At Weddings and Wakes
At Weddings and Wakes by Alice McDermott, published by Hamish Hamilton in 1992, is a poignant exploration of family dynamics and cultural heritage. This first edition, comprising 224 pages, follows Lucy Dailey as she navigates her life in suburbia while frequently returning to her Brooklyn roots with her three children. The narrative delves into the complexities of her family, including her stepmother and sisters, each grappling with their own struggles and relationships.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of experiences as the children observe their relatives, including Aunt Veronica, who seeks solace in alcohol, Aunt Agnes, a sharp-tongued career woman, and Aunt May, who discovers love later in life. McDermott’s work captures the essence of an Irish-American family, reflecting on themes of legacy and the intricacies of familial bonds. This edition provides a thoughtful look at the interplay of personal and cultural identity within a close-knit family structure.
Official synopsis Publisher
Lucy Dailey leaves suburbia twice a week with her three children in tow, returning to the Brooklyn home where she grew up, and where her stepmother and unmarried sisters still live. The children quietly observe Aunt Veronica, who drowns her sorrows in drink. Aunt Agnes, a caustic career woman, and finally Aunt May, the ex-nun, blossoming with a late and unexpected love, dutifully absorbing the legacy of their less-than-perfect family. Alice McDermott beautifully evokes three generations of an Irish-American family in this “haunting and masterly work of literary art” (“The Wall Street Journal”).
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