Discuss the different kinds of family relationships we encounter in the novel. How are those similar to and different than the friendships?

What do you make of Anastasia's relationship with Arthur? Were you surprised by the nature of that relationship when it was revealed? What about Owen? Discuss the different kinds of family relationships we encounter in the novel. How are those similar to and different than the friendships?

When Eve goes to the funeral she finds she has a deeper relationship with her family than she thought she did and it comforts her. Eve and Sally find out that Anastasia has a son who cares for her and they develop a friendship with him. Sally gains insight into her relationship with her children. We learn about Arthur’s relationship with his family members which is a bit unusual but it seems to work for him. Good friendships can be very much like family but it has to be a deep friendship for the same obligations to exist.

The ‘distance’ that appears to exist in Anastasia’s relationships with Arthur and Owen seem odd and unusual, but much of that is because of the brief time we encounter them. We meet them late in life when dependence issues are changing. It is obvious the dependence needs of Anastasia are new, but accepted by Owen. This novel actually addresses many family relationships that are familiar, but perhaps not considered traditional. Arthur and Anastasia have fit their relationship to their needs. Sally and her husband have not.

The family relationships seemed a little detached. I would have liked to have learned a bit more about the background of Owen, Arthur, and Anastasia ( all the the characters, really) to have possibly better understood.