“Scientists --- or at least Fig’s science teacher --- did not know what caused the Big Bang, but they did know that billions of trillions of unlikely factors had to be exactly right for it to occur. If it had been fall or winter or spring, Fig and Jack would probably have been at school. If Fig hadn’t been afraid of fire, they would probably have been at camp. If she didn’t have to share a phone with her brother or even if it had been her turn or especially if Fig had been a different kind of ten-year-old, she might not have been reading the newspaper that morning. But none of those ifs came true. So conditions were unlikely, but unfortunately perfect, for their entire lives to explode.”

With little information except that Fig’s mother happens to be fairly famous, so begins FAMILY FAMILY, the latest whirling dervish of a novel from Laurie Frankel. It is a story of adoption, miscommunication, the media and the complications of any family, now or generations ago.

"The novel is fun, compelling and works hard to address how life is lived under constant scrutiny. It would make for a great vacation read."

India Allwood grows up wanting to be an actress like a lot of American girls. She ends up on Broadway at the age of 16 and becomes a TV show ingénue. And so goes her successful career --- until she finds herself wanting a family. India creates one for herself by adopting two children, Fig and Jack, which keeps her busy between acting gigs. However, on her most recent venture, she admits to a journalist that she thinks the movie she just did was pretty lousy. The film is about adoption, and India knows a thing or two about that. The tragic end of adoption dramas is not the truth to her and her kids.

Soon, though, India finds herself getting hit with nastiness from journalists and paparazzi on one side and right-wing protestors and left-wing advocates on the other. This melee of the media and the issue of adoption puts India on a hot seat for which she is not prepared. Fig comes to her aid, pulling in support from their family. A wild, winding story follows, keeping everyone involved on their toes and giving India, Fig and their nearest and dearest a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

FAMILY FAMILY whizzes back and forth in time. It has a “ripped-from-the-headlines” feel to it, with the cancel culture of our contemporary society getting a solid look-see. India, Fig and Jack, the foremost little family at the center of the drama, play off each other nicely, if not a bit self-consciously. Sometimes their dialogue and scheming feel somewhat like a big plot twist on a Disney Channel program, while at other times it moves into more dramatic territory.

Still, the story of India and her kids and the truth she wants to uphold is one of integrity. It’s about the importance of the right kind of representation for certain social issues and the impotence of others to take hold in a national conversation. The fickle public is playing a tug-of-war with the family and its dedication to its own truth. It is here where Frankel’s sense of whiplash plotting finds its footing.

As things change minute by minute, played out on social media for the world to see, it certainly seems that India, Fig and Jack have counterparts in the real world. The novel is fun, compelling and works hard to address how life is lived under constant scrutiny. It would make for a great vacation read. So for those of you lucky enough to head to warmer climes this winter, FAMILY FAMILY will need a place in your suitcase.