This Wednesday, I turned the final page on Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s latest novel, Long Island Compromise. It’s an ambitious, hilarious, and occasionally devastating Jewish-American family saga. Her first novel, Fleishman is in Trouble, was released in 2020 to much fanfare; it shot to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was promptly adapted into a Hulu series and Emmy-nominated from there. Long Island Compromise one didn’t see the same spectacular critical reception. But I didn’t know this until I finished the book and immediately scoured the internet for what I was sure would be a spate of glowing reviews, and found the general consensus more middling.
I preferred Long Island Compromise to Fleishman is in Trouble, and in spending a few days pondering the “why” behind that, I’ve landed on an answer: I’m a sucker for a family saga.
And, as it turns out, so are lots of you. So, I’ve decided to ask you all for your favorites - and we’re doing a little deep dive into those today - both those I have and haven’t read. Let’s see what makes it into my TBR pile. If I missed yours, sorryyyy - I forgot to double-check that I’d screenshotted every response. Drop it in the comments!
Ok, let’s start with the ones I have read. I thought I was a family saga fan, but I’m clearly missing out on a lot of the greats of the genre. Before we officially begin with your list, here are a few of mine that didn’t make the cut:
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