🏛️ ⚖️ A Nearly Normal Family ⚖️ 🏛️ (2019) - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Celadon Books (June 25, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1250204437

ISBN-13: 978-1250204431

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“Eighteen-year-old Stella Sandell stands accused of the brutal murder of a man almost fifteen years her senior. She is an ordinary teenager from an upstanding local family. What reason could she have to know a shady businessman, let alone to kill him?

Stella’s father, a pastor, and mother, a criminal defense attorney, find their moral compasses tested as they defend their daughter, while struggling to understand why she is a suspect. Told in an unusual three-part structure, A Nearly Normal Family asks the questions: How well do you know your own children? How far would you go to protect them?”

“A Nearly Normal Family” is author M.T. Edvardsson’s first book published to the United States. Previously he has authored three novels and two books for young readers in Sweden. It is translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles. I received an ARC through BookishFirst to review. A positive review was not required. All words and thoughts are my own.

[ARC of "A Nearly Normal Family" thanks to Bookish First]

This legal drama/thriller has elements of murder, sexual assault, prisoner abuse, and mental health issues.

The story is told in three parts, all in first person:

** Adam, the father, a pastor (prologue to Chapter 41)

** Stella, the troubled daughter, accused of murder (Chapters 42-82)

** Ulrika, the mother, a lawyer (Chapter 83-109; as of note, this is the shortest part of the book)

At the center of the story is Stella Sandell. Recently turned 18 and accused of a brutal murder of a business man 15 years her senior. How does she know him and why would she kill him? How did the daughter of a pastor and lawyer go so wrong?

The father’s perspective starts out the novel. He begins with what leads up to their daughter’s arrest with slowly added histories of how they became a family. He also recounts the troubles and indiscretions his daughter had when she was younger, along with a troubling sexual assault. He also re-examines his daughter’s troubling behaviors to wonder if she is guilty or innocent. But, he cannot bring himself to tell the truth if it will convict her.

As the investigation unfolds, he gets caught up in wanting to know the truth and begins to do his own research. From questioning a witness to his daughter’s friend, Adam will stop at nothing to save the daughter he now barely knows, if he did at all.

Stella’s side is that of a rebellious and ungrateful teenager. She scrutinizes the jail system she now finds herself in, her relationship with her parents, relationship with her best friend Amina, along with an incident she’d used to get back at her father which backfired. Stella also tells of the counseling and abuse by the staff in jail along with the nightmares she suffers. It is here where the reader learns Stella’s connection with the businessman she’s accused of murdering.

Ulrika’s side starts with Stella’s murder trial. She recalls how her relationship with Stella was, and how Ulrika didn’t know her daughter after a while. It also goes through more of Stella’s friendship with Amina as well as Ulrika’s closeness to Amina.

This is where the reader will hit the heart and soul of the novel – as well as what lengths a parent would go to in protecting their child and how everything plays out.

The truth isn’t revealed until the final pages of the epilogue. Edvardsson is careful to drop hints throughout, though in Ulrika’s part, it is pretty clear as to who the killer is.

It was an interesting read over a three day period. It wasn’t particularly overwhelming, but it wasn’t boring. The insight into the Swedish justice system is educational – and definitely differs from the American system quite a bit. The family issues and themes tried to be strong.

Each character seemingly had their own agenda. Adam was trying to create a “nearly normal family” and ignoring signs involving Stella. He seems like a doting and responsible father. He’s about the only one I felt sorry for in this mess.

I found Stella to be impatient, rude, obnoxious, rebellious, and ungrateful. In one scene she puts herself in harm’s way in an effort to get back at her father. She seemingly has no remorse for most of her actions – she just says and does what she wants, regardless of consequences. She does have some loyalty to her friend Amina though.

I had no sympathy for Stella, and didn’t care if she ended up in prison or not. Most of what happened to her was the result of her bad choices. Behavioral disorders are tossed out, but she doesn’t like labels and none seem to fit. It’s worse when Amina, her childhood friend, simply states “well, she … she’s just the way she is. She’s Stella, there’s no one else like her”.

Ulrika came off as selfish. She regretted she thought more of her career than being a mom, which is something she’d wanted – being a mom that is. Despite knowing she was doing the wrong thing, she kept doing it though. There is even a hint at infidelity. Ulrika’s decision could result in Stella being convicted.

The novel has a good premise – a young girl being accused of murdering someone that no one knows she knew. There were twists and turns, along with self reflection.

For those who enjoy this type of genre, it might be a good read. I wasn’t exactly thrilled, wowed, or excited by it – but it wasn’t the worse thing I’ve read either. It could’ve been that it was a dark read or the translation. It did hold my interest long enough to finish it though.

2 ⭐⭐/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M. T. Edvardsson is a writer and teacher from Trelleborg, Sweden. The author of three previous novels and two books for young readers in Sweden, Edvarsson lives with his family in Löddeköpinge, Sweden. This is his first novel to be published in the United States. A Nearly Normal Family has been sold in thirty-one territories.