We Only Know So Much
A funny and moving debut novel that follows four generations of a singularly weird American family, all living under one roof, as each member confronts a moment of crisis in a narrative told through a uniquely quirky, charming, and unforgettable voice. Acclaimed short story writer Elizabeth Crane, well known to public radio listeners for her frequent and captivating contributions to WBEZ Chicago’s Writer’s Block Party, delivers a sublime, poignant, and often hilarious first novel, perfect for fans of Jessica Anya Blau’s The Summer of Naked Swim Parties and Heather O’Neill’s Lullabies for Little Criminals. “Crane has a distinctive and eccentric voice that is consistent and riveting.” —New York Times Book Review
Reviews
Popular Reviews
Reviews with the most likes.
What suckered me in on this one was the blurb on the front comparing it to the Royal Tenenbaums, but yeah, this has that kind of feel to it. Mostly, I found that Crane writes like a girlfriend telling you a story over coffee at your kitchen table. I loved that. She also mastered making everyone's voice so different from each other which couldn't have been easy with this eclectic cast of characters. Even the title: she reminds us that she can only tell us so much, after all, We Only Know So Much. Here we have a family that spans four generations living under one roof and I dare anyone not to fall in love with Otis. Everyone is dealing with something and in complete isolation from everyone else. Can they pull together as a family? Should they bother?
To me, the book is about the side effects of NOT living in the moment. So much is missed and people grow apart because they do not take the time to know each other. It celebrates the different and the weird, and the beauty of everydayness.
Awesome read overall with a bit of a slow down (for me) in the middle with Gordon, but it picked up again. That is NOT to say this is a gripping page turner, it's not. It's more of a character study, but if I had to compare it to a song it would be Kodachrome by Paul Simon.
This would make an really twee independent movie. I'd pay to see it.
Side note: I have NEVER read a character like Priscilla before, and was refreshing and honest and raw.