Three Junes, by Julia Glass, is one of those novels that was completely engrossing while I was in the midst of it, but basically forgettable. After finishing, I remember thinking: “Wow. Great book.” But a week later, sitting down to record my thoughts about it, I find myself thumbing through the volume trying to recall what it was about.

The book follows the interelated lives of three people – two from the same family. The book begins by introducing Paul, a Scottish widower who is on a holiday in Greece. I found the first part of the book vague and very confusing, in part because of the way the story jumped around to different times and places. I think the author was trying to convey some of Paul’s grief, confusion and reconcilation with the past, but it was tough for the reader to get a handle on the plot sometimes.

My favourite character in the book was Fenno, Paul’s gay son, who lives in New York City. I found Fenno’s story, the second part of the book, the most compelling and I became deeply absorbed and fascinated by his life. Interesting, because I disliked his character in the first part of the book – the one told from his father’s perspective. It was in Fenno’s story that the book started to gel for me. In the final chapters, it was quite interesting to see how the loose ends tied up. I liked the sensitive way the author portrayed Fenno. Perhaps because he was so misunderstood by his father in the first chapters, I felt a special emphathy with him.

I also suspect I emphasized more strongly with Fenno because his story was told in the first person, whereas the other characters were conveyed in the third person. It was actually an interesting way of organising the novel and lent a certain distance to the other characters, particularly the father Paul (the widower) and mother, Maureen.

The last part of the book focuses on Fern. I started to lose interest at this point, but soldiered on to the end.

Anyways, it was a good book, parts of it were quite compelling. I recommend it in good faith, if not enthusiasm.

A favourite quote from the book:
_“He stands and helps her to her feet. Her legs are stiff and numb, so she leans against him for a moment, and perhaps he interprets her physical dependence as plea of some kind. ‘Never talk yourself out of knowing you’re in love,’ he says, ‘or into thinking that you are.’

‘Mind what you love,’ says Fern…” (page 342)_

This well-written novel follows three people, and as the story of each one unfolds, you see how they are connected. The book deals with family relations, love, what family is… and all themes are addressed with subtlety and depth. Very enjoyable novel. I

Bought for me as a gift, would probably never have come across it otherwise. Found it easy to read, an unusual portrayal of family connections. Several underlying issues I felt were handled sensitively. This is a debut novel but I will be on the look out for more by Julia Glass.

Essentially three linked novellas—it gave me shivers by the end.

Just starting it… again on Strada’s recommendation.

I cannot get into this thing to save my life!!!