The Splendid Things We Planned - A Family Portrait

By Blake Bailey,

Book cover of The Splendid Things We Planned - A Family Portrait

Book description

Meet the Baileys: Burck, a prosperous lawyer once voted the American Legion's "Citizen of the Year" in his tiny hometown of Vinita, Oklahoma; his wife Marlies, who longs to recapture her festive life in Greenwich Village as a pretty young German immigrant, fresh off the boat; their addled son Scott,…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Splendid Things We Planned - A Family Portrait as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

No one wants to know a troubled, addicted family member isn't going to beat their demons. But knowing the ending at the beginning makes reading this difficult story possible. Bailey tells a relatable story that breaks down his brother's struggles and their effect upon the family in a way that those of us who share similar stories can relate to. The reader can see how and where things went wrong with Blake's brother Scott, while recognizing that there wasn't anything anyone could have done to prevent the ending.

From Marlayna's list on surviving traumatic childhoods.

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