Oh my, there is a lot going on in this book. I hardly know where to start. It is the story of the Weiss family told by the middle child (of 5), Jemima. As a quick internet search can tell you, the author is also the middle child of 5 and so you know there are going to be autobiographical details in it. Since, in real life, Emma is the daughter of renowned author Mordecai Richler this book sheds some fascinating light on him as well.

In addition to the stories of family life there is a plethora of details about astronomy and Judaism and books and films and songs and saints and nuns and, and, and... It gets to be a bit much at times but I recommend persevering because these things do illuminate the end of the book.

What is clear is that this family is very close and everyone is bursting with intelligence. I'm pretty sure that part is autobiographical. Meal times must have been chaotic but very interesting in the Richler household. ( )