The Floating Feldmans

By: Elyssa Friedland

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

A family vacation dredges up a boatload of trouble in the next witty, insightful novel from the acclaimed author of The Intermission.

"An irresistible drama filled with humor and heart-tugging emotion about family and what it means to belong. I absolutely adore Friedland's warm, witty writing!" (Emily Giffin, number one New York Times best-selling author of All We Ever Wanted)

Sink or swim. Or at least that's what Annette Feldman tells herself when she books a cruise for her entire family. It's been over a decade since the Feldman clan has spent more than 24 hours under the same roof, but Annette is determined to celebrate her 70th birthday the right way. Just this once, they are going to behave like an actual family.

Too bad her kids didn't get the memo.

Between the troublesome family secrets, old sibling rivalries, and her two teenage grandkids, Annette's birthday vacation is looking more and more like the perfect storm. Adrift together on the open seas, the Feldmans will each face the truths they've been ignoring - and learn that the people they once thought most likely to sink them are actually the ones who help them stay afloat.

©2019 Elyssa Friedland (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Friedland creates vivid characters with distinct voices, from the outwardly critical matriarch to the insecure teenager. The story is at its best when the whole family is together, allowing their individual personalities to bounce off one another. There's also some sharp commentary about the pitfalls of cruises, and even readers who've never been on one will feel positively claustrophobic as they read about the cramped cabins the Feldmans stay in. A fun look at family drama on the open seas." (Kirkus)

"Friedland uses multiple perspectives, witty dialogue, and complex characters that are incredibly relatable to deliver a funny, astute look at the family dynamic and the relationships shared within. Whether on a cruise or taking a staycation, contemporary readers will want to have The Floating Feldmans on deck." (Booklist)

"Take a big dysfunctional family, reunite them for the first time in 10 years on a Caribbean cruise ship they can’t escape, and add endless buffets, blindfolded pie-eating contests, and impromptu conga lines on the sundeck. What could possibly go wrong? Both cruising fans and skeptics alike will get a laugh out of this story of a family trying to stay afloat." (National Geographic)

Okay

It had potential crossing across 3 generations and their issues but I didn't feel their reconnection.

Family

Family so wonderful and complicated as portrayed in this story! honestly I had to power through the first half because all of the negativity of the characters was draining but as I hoped they turn it around and worth a listen!

Light and fun

I really enjoyed this one: light & fun. maybe it’ll be a primary source when the cruise industry ends 😂

After the prologue-it does get better

For greater than 50% of this book, I hated every character. They are whiny and self-absorbed for the most part. However, it does get better.
As an avid cruiser, they have some details of cruise life nailed, but are way off on others. Author - don’t mention a specific ship that really exists, unless you are clear on the details (I.e. Jewel of the Seas), which is decidedly smaller than a ship with bumper cars and a Ferris wheel.
Overall - lighthearted, entertaining listen.

touching

I wasnt tracking this story at first, but it is a turned a page and came together. Good story about speaking your truth and changing family expectations

heartwarming

narrator was terrific setting was authentic family dynamics predictable matriarch's characterization needed a bit more fleshing out

Predictable

The story moved along and characters took their part. I think there could have been more family situations than the one " main blowup". It was a missed opportunity.

Loved it!

And anyone with a family will too!
It covers teenagers, college kids, 30 sometings with no kids, middle age married Mom and Dads, and Grandma and Grandpa's too!

If you dread family vacations this is for you

I could identify with the characters, and had old crap I did that to my parents and sibling moments as well. I just wish Julian had a epilogue

Very enjoyable light read

I enjoyed the way this writer told what could have been a depressing story but kept it light. It truly depicts what being a family is. The good, the bad and the ugly. With social
media we only see the perfect family when in reality no family is perfect. Each issue that each family member had was addressed. Never in too much detailed but enough. The ending of this book was just how it should have ended. All loose strings tied up. Great read !!!