One of the things I was struck by is the role of family in this book. I think sometimes we tend to be nostalgic about the immigrant family as this tight structure, but for the most part, Addie feels like a figure who had to break free from her family to get what she wanted/needed and didn't get much support from them (except some from Betty). Her independence is really striking.
One of the things I was struck by is the role of family in this book. I think sometimes we tend to be nostalgic about the immigrant family as this tight structure, but for the most part, Addie feels like a figure who had to break free from her family to get what she wanted/needed and didn't get much support from them (except some from Betty). Her independence is really striking.