The Condition

By: Jennifer Haigh

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck

Length: 14 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

The Condition tells the story of the McKotches, a proper New England family that comes apart during one fateful summer. The year is 1976, and the family - Frank McKotch, an eminent scientist; his pedigreed wife, Paulette; and their three beautiful children - has embarked on its annual vacation at the Captain's House, the grand old family retreat on Cape Cod.

One day on the beach, Frank is struck by an image he cannot forget: his 13-year-old daughter, Gwen, strangely infantile in her child-sized bikini, standing a full head shorter than her younger cousin Charlotte. At that moment, he knows a truth that he can never again unknow: something is terribly wrong with his only daughter. The McKotch family will never be the same.

Twenty years after Gwen's diagnosis with Turner's syndrome, a genetic condition that has prevented her from maturing, trapping her forever in the body of a child, all five family members are still dealing with the fallout. Each believes himself crippled by some secret pathology; each feels responsible for the family's demise. Frank and Paulette are acrimoniously divorced. Billy, the eldest son, is dutiful but distant, a handsome Manhattan cardiologist with a life built on compromise. His brother, Scott, awakens from a pot-addled adolescence to a soul-killing job, a regrettable marriage, and a vinyl-sided tract house in the suburbs.

Gwen is silent and emotionally aloof, a bright, accomplished woman who spurns any interaction with those around her. She makes peace with the hermetic life she's constructed until, well into her 30s, she falls in love for the first time. And suddenly, once again, the family's world is tilted on its axis.

Compassionate yet unflinchingly honest, witty and almost painfully astute, The Condition explores the power of family mythologies - the self-delusions, denials, and inescapable truths that forever bind fathers and mothers and siblings.

©2008 Jennifer Haigh (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Filled with genuine insight and touching lyricism." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Throught provoking

At first I thought the book was on the road to ennui. I stuck with it, and was enamored. Each character's life is captivating. I was also pleasantly surprised with Gwen's story since I live in Pittsburgh. The author is very true to Pittsburgh's environment. A must listen.

Outstanding listen!

Terrific story, well told and delivered by an excellent narrator. The author provides amazing, human characterizations of this imperfect family. I have been spellbound.

Interesting, but often meandering

Though the overall story of this book is interesting, it moves at such a slow pace that it gets frustrating. This is due to the use of backstory. Sometimes, this background has a point and is connected to the story, but often I was thinking why, let's please get on with it. From my perspective, the "condition" of the character Gwen was just a piece of the plot line, no more or less significant than the personality traits of the other family members. I am glad that the author did tie up the story lines which gives the reader closure. The narrator was good but I did often wonder whether I would have read the characters quite as "hard" as she did.

Loved it

I found this story to be engaging, the author captures the everyday struggles of life. I enjoyed it immensely.

Fantastic listen

I've been listening to audiobooks for a few years, and this one ranks as one of the most pleasurable. The plot is interesting, the writing fantastic, and the narration solid. Highly recommend!

Interesting concept

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The concept of "The Condition" - that each person in this typically flawed family carries the burden of his/her own condition, which impacts the others, was a good one and carries it through.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Jennifer Van Dyck?

No. I found her reading had a sing-songy, over-acted quality that was distracting to me.

Any additional comments?

The story was certainly interesting enough to motivate me to continue to the end.

The outcomes of each of the characters, in the end, was a little too tidy and trite for me, thus knocking the "believability factor" down a few notches.

Excellent

This was my first Jennifer Haigh novel. I am currently on my third in quick succession. "The Condition" is a beautifully written family saga. The daughter is afflicted with a rare genetic "condition" and the "disease" has a ripple effect on the whole family...but we quickly realize she is not the only one "afflicted" with a "condition" of his or her own. Each character struggles with who they are and where they belong (even the ones who appear to be successful and well adjusted). Ms. Haigh's character development is a delight--with observations that make each of them come to life in surprising but believable details. I loved it. Highly recommend.

Even better the second time

I truly loved this book the first time I listened, but recently chose "The Condition" for a book club selection, and found it even more enjoyable (and funny) with the second listen!

Gwen Triumphs!

What made the experience of listening to The Condition the most enjoyable?

So much dysfunction, but each in the family with their own perspective.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Condition?

Enjoyed Gwen coming into her own and finding love.

Excellent Writer

This is a new author to follow! This book was very well written and entertaining. I hated for it to end. Great characters--all of them!