Book Review: Delving into mother-daughter dynamics: Author Corinne Demas launches new book ‘Daughters’ on Nov. 20

With apologies to Tolstoy, I’d like to say at the outset that even if all happy families are alike (and they may not be), the path to familial happiness is always different. Corinne Demas of Amherst explores one fictional family’s struggle to achieve happiness in her touching new novel, “Daughters.”

The book begins from the point of view of Delia, a middle-aged Suzuki violin teacher who lives with her second husband, Bob. Delia longs to be close and communicative with her three adult children — artist Meredith who goes by “Merry,” lawyer Kate and free spirit Evan — and with her grandchild, Meredith’s daughter Eloise.

At first, it looks as though the “close” part will come true with Merry and Eloise, at least in terms of geography. At the beginning of the book, Merry telephones her mother in the middle of the night to say that she and Eloise are coming East from California.

Merry doesn’t say why her husband, Josh, will not accompany them — or why, or how long they plan to be with Delia and Bob.

Demas follows the intricacies of the family dynamic as Merry arrives and makes plans to stay while trying to keep as much information as she can from her mother … and trying to give her mother as little control as possible over little Eloise’s life.

Complicating the picture is Kate’s desire to move Delia and Bob away from the old farm on which they live into a senior community, something Kate deems safer for the old people they will soon become.

Evan doesn’t have a horse in this complicated family race (the book is called “Daughters,” not “Children”), but he does wish his siblings and his mother well and would like to make peace among them.

Perhaps because the book starts with Delia — and perhaps, although I blush to admit it, because I am closer to her in age than to her children, I shared her frustration with Merry’s lack of communication at the beginning of the book.

Merry expects Delia to house her and Eloise indefinitely but won’t reveal anything about the situation that has brought the pair back to the East Coast from the West Coast. 

Merry also wants complete freedom to do whatever she wants whenever she wants to, without acknowledging that sometimes one must be accountable to people with whom one is sharing space.

As the story went on, however, I found myself beginning to sympathize with Merry. She may be hostile and difficult with her mother and sister. Nevertheless, she is clearly desperately unhappy. And she is equally a devoted mother.

The mother-daughter dance continues as Merry tries to establish a new life in her childhood home without dealing with her California home … or her husband … and Delia tries to help but risks alienating her vulnerable daughter altogether.

Fortunately, the family members eventually find a way to begin to appreciate each other. And Bob, Delia’s slightly grumpy husband, proves to the reader and the rest of the family why this outgoing woman married him.

“Daughters” works beautifully as a novel, thanks to the author’s skill at delineating character and weaving narrative. From the beginning to the end of the novel, Delia, Merry and their family emerge as real people about whom the reader cannot help caring. 

Their complicated relationships reminded me of issues with some of my own relatives … and reminded me that although we may take family for granted, familial relationships often take a great deal of work. Love is necessary for bonding with relatives, but it is seldom sufficient.

In short, Demas has created a moving, powerful story.

Demas will read from “Daughters” at the book’s launch party on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at Amherst Books on Main Street in Amherst.

For other author appearances, visit https://corinnedemas.com/events.html.

Tinky Weisblat is an award-winning cookbook author and singer known as the Diva of Deliciousness. Visit her website, TinkyCooks.com.