At the book’s end, where do you think the characters will be in ten years?

There was a story on NPR last week about how difficult it is for individuals to predict how much they will change in ten years let alone how they will have changed. I feel the same lack of ability to predict where all the characters in this book will be. This actually makes me like the book even more--it shows what realistic characters Henkin created.

That is a good question, but I would not want to read a follow-up novel about this family. As much I was interested in them while I read the book, I don't want to have a literary relationship with them. Thisbe's life in 10 years is the only one I could possibly care about. I hope she stays in the West and never returns to the Berkshires.

I agree with eileenp on this one. Trying to predict where these characters are in 10 years is sort of like predicting the weather or the stock market in 10 years. No body knows and for me that is okay.

I hope that Noelle comes to her senses and revisits the values that she grew up with rather than the ones imposed upon her by her husband. I hope that Thisbe finds happiness and a new mate in her relationship in Berkley. As for the rest of the family, I imagine that David will find his interests anywhere, the restaurant will be a success.

Not sure where thay will be, nor do I want to read about them again, but I hope Noelle has moved on from Amram, be it back in the USA or elsewhere. He is the least likable character isn a book with marginally likeable characters.

I agree with the previous entries that it is impossible to tell where they will be in the future. For me, the fact that we frequently don't understand where we really are in the present or have been in the past is part of the message of the book.

I agree with shirleyf comments. Good wishes for these characters.

The only one I have a good feeling for is Thisbe. I think that she will have a happy future. I think marilyn will come to regret her divorce. Noelle and Amram will plod on with their dysfunction and I'm not so sure that the other two sisters will remain married.