Long Island Compromise: A Novel by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

In Long Island Compromise, bestselling author Taffy Brodesser-Akner delivers a sprawling narrative that unravels the fabric of one American family, haunted by a dark moment that shattered their suburban paradise. The story begins in 1980 with the kidnapping of wealthy businessman Carl Fletcher, an event that scars each family member in its own way.

Carl survives the ordeal physically unscathed, but emotionally haunted, secretly seeking closure over the years. His wife, Ruth, becomes his stalwart protector, shielding him from the emotional fallout while their three children navigate their own struggles. Nathan, crippled by chronic fear, stagnates in his career; Beamer, a Hollywood screenwriter, numbs his anxieties with excesses; and Jenny, determined to distance herself from her family’s trauma, finds herself ironically defined by it.

As the narrative spans decades and generations, Brodesser-Akner skillfully explores themes of wealth, success, and the enduring legacy of trauma. The family's once-vast fortune dwindles, forcing them to confront uncomfortable truths about the role of money in shaping their lives—both successes and failures. Against the backdrop of American Jewish life, the novel delves into tradition, ambition, fear, and the intricate bonds that tie a family together despite their dysfunctions.

Long Island Compromise is a darkly humorous social satire that probes deep into the complexities of familial relationships and the reverberations of past traumas. Brodesser-Akner's narrative prowess and keen eye for cultural nuances promise a riveting exploration of identity, inheritance, and the unspoken ties that bind. ❤️📚❤️