Book of the Week: THE ALTERNATIVES by Caoilinn Hughes
At once an intelligent discussion of urgent issues — from the ambivalent needs for independence and belonging that beset us individually, to our collective crises of politics, environment and climate — and an enjoyable, witty and often very funny novel that propels the reader deep into the hearts and lives of its characters, The Alternatives tells the story of four successful Irish sisters, three of whom come together to overcome their alienation from each other over the years since the deaths of the parents when they were teenagers — and decide to seek the fourth, who really doesn’t want to be found. Both deeply humane and a compelling novel of ideas.