A Spot of Bother

[smatusak1]

I have been reading "a spot of bother" by Mark Haddon and I am almost nearing the end. It is a very good book so far. I believe that I am enjoying it because it is about a typical family with ups and downs. Each chapter is short and focuses on a particular character from the family and what is going on in their life and in their head. George is the father and grandfather who is a very 'keep to yourself' kind of person, who develops a lesion and convinces himself that he has cancer and is dying and eventually seems to go insane. His wife, Jean, is the seemingly conventional mother and wife that does no wrong and is there for everyone. She is keeping a secret though; that she is having an affair with her husband's former co-worker. The daughter, Katie, is smart, yet aggressive and cannot figure out what love is. She is divorced with a child named Jacob and is living with her fiance Ray. She cannot figure out whether she loves Ray or not. She doesn't know if she loves Ray because of his ability to be a great father, his money, and the security he brings her. Jamie, is Katie's brother, who also happens to be gay and also unable to figure out whether he wants to be in a committed relationship. He loves his boyfriend Tony, but he is also very private and doesn't express his feelings. He puts his life first and his fears of facing his homosexuality before his love for Tony and therefore, loses Tony, but is trying to recapture his love. I will continue this review as I go along in the book.