"Malibu Rising," by Taylor Jenkins Reid

As I have noted before, for various reasons I don’t post on this blog about every book I read. But I occasionally note some not particularly demanding but enjoyable books I have read (e.g., on 2/20/21). Today I write about a novel that I mostly enjoyed, and of which I mostly admired the craftwomanship involved. This book, like others I have read and sometimes written about here, exists somewhere between “literary” fiction and popular/bestseller fiction. Such novels are unlikely to be on “best books” lists in the New York Times or in literary magazines, but they are solidly written and they entertain and even move readers. “Malibu Rising” (Ballantine, 2021), is by Taylor Jenkins Reid, best known for her very popular previous novel “Daisy Jones and The Six,” which I also read and enjoyed (but did not post about here). As indicated in the title, the current novel takes place in Malibu, near Los Angeles; it involves a three-generation family that suffers and struggles but also, individually and together, becomes very successful and even famous. Fame and money, as we know, do not always bring happiness, especially if characters’ difficult childhoods undermine their seemingly ideal adulthoods. The main thread throughout, and the part I liked best about the novel, is the fierce family ties among four siblings, despite many obstacles and issues along the way. As with “Daisy Jones,” I started reading this novel with some resistance, but was drawn into the story. So no, it is not particularly demanding, but it provides an intriguing and even poignant world to share with the characters for a few hours. And that is a real and laudable accomplishment. (In case this post sounds condescending, I really don't mean it that way. I could not write such a novel, or any novel, myself. And I am grateful for every book that gives me and others pleasure.)