DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY by Bill Clegg

Finished Mo 6/20/16

After a visit to Dr. Ellison's office for dermatitis (poison ivy, left hand), and the final visit to the ophthalmologist for the cataract surgery.

June 2016 selection for the Contemporary Book Club

Loved the book. Each character is given a chapter to explain a rather complicated storyline. However, very easy to follow. 'There are no minor characters in real life, everyone is the star of the tale.'

NOTES-
Set in Wells, CT (not real) which is near Torrington, CT and Moclips, WA (real place) Aberdeen, WA. Torrington is where the old guy screamed at the young mother who was breast feeding in a Target and he freaked out. In the news when I was reading the book. Aberdeen is where Kurt Cobain grew up.

Lydia- wife of Earl Morey. Luke's mother by George. "A small town Elizabeth Taylor'. p. 289

June- 50's, Blonde, chic city dweller who owns an old (historic?) home in Wells, CT. She's part of the crowd that stays in Connecticut only during the summer. Split from marriage to open an art space in London. Had one in Manhattan.

Lolly- June's daughter. Also beautiful and blonde.

Adam- June's ex husband who left her for a younger woman. He had a history of womanizing.

Arnette and June grew up in Lake Forest, IL. Went to camp in New Hampshire and June snubbed her.

P.97- Adam's sexual harrassment suit wiped out June/Adam financially.

Rebecca/Kelly- lesbians, co-owners of Moonstone Motel, Moclips, WA
Rebecca had a friend, Penny who became a heroin addict. Raped and killed. Rebecca met Kelly when visiting Penny in Rehab.

George's son od'd at boarding school in CT. and that's how he ran into Lydia. He's from Atlanta. The motel that Lydia worked was called The Betsy. A bed/breakfast near Wells.

P. 131 Author uses the phrase, DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY

Cissy- maid at Moclips Moonstone Motel. Pam is her sister.

P.170 Liked this quote-

"Not son's job to be interested in your father, but the father's job is to be interested in the son"

P. 175 George's fling with Lydia at The Betsy.

Winton scams Lydia for $750 then sends it back. Empathizes with her?

P, 222 Rex set up Luke to take the fall in a drug bust. Lydia sides with Rex and convinces Luke to go to prison. Everyone lied to her, except Luke. He was true-blue.

Unification Church 'The Moonies'. Near June's house.