Book Summary and Reviews of Among Friends by Hal Ebbott

Book Summary

What begins as celebration gives way to betrayal, shattering the trust between two families.

It's an autumn weekend at a comfortable New York country house where two deeply intertwined families have gathered to mark the host's fifty-second birthday.

Together, the group forms an enviable portrait of middle age. The wives and husbands have been friends for over thirty years, their teenage daughters have grown up together, and the dinners, games, and rituals forming their days all reflect the rich bonds between them.

This weekend, however, something is different. An unforeseen curdling of envy and resentment will erupt in an unspeakable act, the aftermath of which exposes treacherous fault lines upon which they have long dwelt.

Written with hypnotic elegance and molten precision, and announcing the arrival of a major literary talent, Hal Ebbott's Among Friends examines betrayal within the sanctuary of a defining relationship, as well as themes of class, marriage, friendship, power, and the things we tell ourselves to preserve our finely made worlds.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Among Friends centers on the decades-old friendship between two families, their lives intimately intertwined until a shocking act of betrayal tears the fabric of their connection. Author Hal Ebbott offers a meticulous illustration of how such a foundational friendship evolves, and the powers that it holds over the actions of the individuals within it. What is it about Amos and Emerson, when they meet in college, and as they continue together over time, that explains the strength of their bond? Do those qualities make them more or less likely to remain friends over time?
2. The book begins with a quote from Jean Renoir: "The real hell of life is that everyone has their reasons." How do you read this quote in the context of the ...