Author: Angie Kim
Published: August 29, 2023 by Hogarth
Format: Hardcover, 387 Pages
Genre: Fiction
First Sentence: We didn’t call the police right away.
Blurb: Those are the first words of this extraordinary novel about a biracial Korean-American family in Virginia whose lives are upended when their beloved father and husband goes missing.
Mia, the irreverent, hyperanalytical twenty-year-old daughter, has an explanation for everything--which is why she isn't initially concerned when her father and younger brother Eugene don't return from a walk in a nearby park. They must have lost their phone. Or stopped for an errand somewhere. But by the time Mia's brother runs through the front door bloody and alone, it becomes clear that the father in this tight-knit family is missing and the only witness is Eugene, who has the rare genetic condition Angelman syndrome and cannot speak.
What follows is both a ticking-clock investigation into the whereabouts of a father and an emotionally rich portrait of a family whose most personal secrets just may be at the heart of his disappearance. Full of shocking twists and fascinating questions of love, language, race, and human connection, Happiness Falls is a mystery, a family drama, and a novel of profound philosophical inquiry. With all the powerful storytelling she brought to her award-winning debut Miracle Creek, Angie Kim turns the missing person story into something wholly original, creating an indelible tale of a family who must go to remarkable lengths to truly understand one another. (GoodReads)
My Opinion: This novel does not fit into one simple genre. Part mystery and then diving deeper into family dynamics, then pushes the reader into science and math all in the name of pursuing happiness.
Adam Parsons disappeared while out with his son. What complicates the finding of Adam is that his son, Eugene, does not speak and has been diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome. This might be a new term for some and like me, will open a rabbit trail on Google.
Mia, the twenty-year-old daughter, and narrator, guides the reader through the choices made -- in a bossy, snooty, and eye-rolling way -- to both protect Eugene, and to apply an hyper-analytical tone. This approach might turn off some readers who do not appreciate science, math, and footnotes in their fiction reading, or know it all characters, but combined, became surprisingly informative. The first chapter and a half may feel like you are stumbling along, but once you find your way, the complexity shines through.
Angie Kim drops subtle hints throughout the book, keeping readers on their toes. These little comments about future revelations create a much needed anticipatory quality, encouraging readers to think ahead and piece together the puzzle.
“Happiness Falls” strength lies in its first three-quarters of the book. However, some readers may find the later portions long and redundant. The narrative introduces and then skips over certain elements, leaving readers both intrigued and frustrated. It’s not a straightforward missing person story; it’s about what’s missing within the family.
The novel starts strong, blending mystery, family drama, and intellectual study. However, it may not fully satisfy everyone by the final pages.
Blurb: Those are the first words of this extraordinary novel about a biracial Korean-American family in Virginia whose lives are upended when their beloved father and husband goes missing.
Mia, the irreverent, hyperanalytical twenty-year-old daughter, has an explanation for everything--which is why she isn't initially concerned when her father and younger brother Eugene don't return from a walk in a nearby park. They must have lost their phone. Or stopped for an errand somewhere. But by the time Mia's brother runs through the front door bloody and alone, it becomes clear that the father in this tight-knit family is missing and the only witness is Eugene, who has the rare genetic condition Angelman syndrome and cannot speak.
What follows is both a ticking-clock investigation into the whereabouts of a father and an emotionally rich portrait of a family whose most personal secrets just may be at the heart of his disappearance. Full of shocking twists and fascinating questions of love, language, race, and human connection, Happiness Falls is a mystery, a family drama, and a novel of profound philosophical inquiry. With all the powerful storytelling she brought to her award-winning debut Miracle Creek, Angie Kim turns the missing person story into something wholly original, creating an indelible tale of a family who must go to remarkable lengths to truly understand one another. (GoodReads)
My Opinion: This novel does not fit into one simple genre. Part mystery and then diving deeper into family dynamics, then pushes the reader into science and math all in the name of pursuing happiness.
Adam Parsons disappeared while out with his son. What complicates the finding of Adam is that his son, Eugene, does not speak and has been diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome. This might be a new term for some and like me, will open a rabbit trail on Google.
Mia, the twenty-year-old daughter, and narrator, guides the reader through the choices made -- in a bossy, snooty, and eye-rolling way -- to both protect Eugene, and to apply an hyper-analytical tone. This approach might turn off some readers who do not appreciate science, math, and footnotes in their fiction reading, or know it all characters, but combined, became surprisingly informative. The first chapter and a half may feel like you are stumbling along, but once you find your way, the complexity shines through.
Angie Kim drops subtle hints throughout the book, keeping readers on their toes. These little comments about future revelations create a much needed anticipatory quality, encouraging readers to think ahead and piece together the puzzle.
“Happiness Falls” strength lies in its first three-quarters of the book. However, some readers may find the later portions long and redundant. The narrative introduces and then skips over certain elements, leaving readers both intrigued and frustrated. It’s not a straightforward missing person story; it’s about what’s missing within the family.
The novel starts strong, blending mystery, family drama, and intellectual study. However, it may not fully satisfy everyone by the final pages.
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