Maya Lang's debut novel elevates family dysfunction to an art form. The Sixteenth of June, which unfolds over the course of a single day, is moody and poignant while dripping with delectable elements of the absurd. Lang has crafted characters endearing and annoying, admirable and ridiculous. Right when they might be too unsavory, Lang adds a dash of redemption to make them just sympathetic enough.
Nora, a gifted opera singer, has lost passion for her craft and secretly yanks out her hair while refusing to set a wedding date with her nice-guy fiancé. Leopold, her future husband, is the black sheep of his ridiculously wealthy and liberal family; the Portmans throw a yearly soiree to celebrate Irish writer James Joyce, but Leo would rather hide and watch football. Leo's brother, Stephen, a pretentious academic who lives off an allowance from his parents, is Nora's best friend. There's enough angst and intrigue here to make a delicious story, but Lang further flavors the brew by tossing in snooty WASPy mother June and debonair patriarch Michael (who has denied his Jewish heritage since becoming wildly successful on Wall Street).
The characters collide on the morning of a funeral that unfolds into the Portman's annual Bloomsday bash at their mansion. Martinis and mayhem abound as deep secrets are unearthed. The real joy lies in watching a group of characters so accustomed to sweeping any true emotion under the rug react when that rug is suddenly ripped out from beneath their feet. Addictive, outstanding and with many Joycean references, The Sixteenth of June will make readers impatient for Lang's sophomore effort. --Natalie Papailiou, author of blog MILF: Mother I'd Like to Friend