Guest blog by Heidi McCrary
As our New Normal continues, I relaxed on my sofa the other evening, and finally started reading the book-club favorite, Little Fires Everywhere. With a limited-series airing currently on Hulu, starring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon, the timing seemed right to dive into the story of an affluent dysfunctional family. After all, nothing is more entertaining than reading about a rich family falling down a dark rabbit hole.
One only has to look at the popularity of the runaway bestsellers Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls to see the power of telling the story of curious family dynamics. And it never hurts to throw in a mother who is ill-equipped for raising children—something I am well aware of as my book Chasing North Star hits bookstores and lands on readers’ nightstands. While categorically a novel, it is inspired by my own upside-down childhood. So, if the world can have a multitude of books centered around the themes of westerns, wars, superheroes, and vampires, certainly there is room for one more story examining the underbelly of a family self-imploding.
But wait… Didn’t we all have a colorful childhood? After all, I grew up in the Mad Men era when mothers drank while pregnant, cars had ashtrays, and fathers could slap Timmy, the kid next door, for smartin’ off without repercussions from the law or Timmy’s father. How often have we told our children that we lived in a time without seatbelts and helmets? We basically ran ‘til dark, and found stuff to do that didn’t involve organized sports providing participation awards. Growing up, I didn’t acquire a single trophy, and I was too busy picking at scabs on my knees, and gnats out my hair to notice.
And apparently, I am in great company. As I a sat down with an interviewer recently to discuss the story behind the writings of my dysfunctional childhood, it took only minutes before I recognized that familiar look. A nodding head and smile told me that she understood my upbringing because she too had grown up under similar circumstances. As more read my story, I am hearing a thunderous theme of “I can so relate,” “That could have been my story,” and “let me tell you how messed up my childhood was.” If seated with a group on any four random people, I’m not even sure I would win the contest of My childhood was more effed up than yours.
Reese Witherspoon, one of Hollywood’s most influential voices for the empowerment of women, understands the power of family dynamics and how popular family dysfunction is for female readers. In a March 2020 interview with Variety, Ms. Witherspoon explains her reaction when she read Little Fires Everywhere, and her reason for wanting to produce and star in the TV adaptation. “When I read the book,” she says. “I just thought it was a beautiful exploration about different kinds of mothering.” Understated perhaps, but quite accurate.
But wait… Different kinds of mothering would indicate that there are actually a few of us who had normal childhoods. I have yet to find this family, but I will let you know when I do stumble upon this elusive anomaly. Or better yet, let me know when YOU find that family!
Heidi McCrary is the author of Chasing North Star. Follow her at heidimccrary.net and facebook.com/HeidiMcCraryAuthor
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