Lavonne C

Fatherland explores the effects of a father abandoning his family. Martin's, the father, method of doing this is so immature. He refuses to communicate with his wife. He just takes his belongs over a period of time and goes to live with his new pregnant girlfriend. Lora, the mother, acts like a doormat at the time. As the story progresses, Martin becomes more and more unlikable.

Lora however, comes into her own and steps up to make certain with the help of grandparents that the kids have a decent life growing up. Josie, the oldest daughter, is devastated by the abandonment of her father. The book explores how she handles this throughout her life. Fortunately Josie and her siblings move on as does Lora.
Martin continues to disappoint the children even as they become productive, responsible adults.

He promises them things but never, never sees those promises through.
By the end of the book, Josie has reconciled with her feelings about her father.