May We Be Forgiven - review - A.M. Homes (2012) When big-shot TV exec George goes berserk and kills somebody, his lame professor brother takes over his house, life, and kids, and learns the meaning… Fiction Viking Adult
IDENTITY SWAP This dark novel eventually becomes over-plotted, causing the reader to lose interest
IDENTITY SWAP This dark novel eventually becomes over-plotted, causing the reader to lose interest
EW's GRADE
B+

Details Release Date: Sep 27, 2012; Writer: A.M. Homes; Genre: Fiction; Publisher: Viking Adult

When big-shot TV exec George goes berserk and kills somebody, his lame professor brother takes over his house, life, and kids, and learns the meaning of...a bunch of things. At her best (Music for Torching), Homes is an exceedingly dark, funny novelist fond of poking at our wounds and delusions. Here, she tries something trickier: figuring out if anything can heal us. May We Be Forgiven opens brilliantly, but becomes hectic and over-plotted. It's not clear if Homes really believes in redemption — or is just trying to. B+

Originally posted Oct 03, 2012 Published in issue #1228-1229 Oct 12, 2012 Order article reprints