The Good Neighbours in question are a close-knit group of four families with young children. The families all socialise and celebrate holidays together in their upmarket Boston suburb. When one of them adopts a young Russian girl to complete their family the other families are excited to welcome her into their privileged world.
Soon after her adoption, it emerges that the girl, Winnie, has various behavioural and social problems and soon her adoptive parents withdraw from the other families in the neighbourhood as they find their idea of a 'perfect family' unobtainable. The other families find themselves observing and questioning as to just how much they should become involved with Winnie and her adoptive parents.
Is this what Good Neighbours would do or are they pushing the boundaries too far?
I was going to say that this was an enjoyable read but this is actually quite a dark book. Perhaps what I should say is that it is an interesting and engrossing read. It is very accomplished for a debut novel, I liked the writing and the characters and scenarios were all highly believable. It is packed with astute observations about suburban life and judgemental 'friends'.
I wasn't a fan of the way this ended but overall it was a very good domestic drama that left me pondering many things about family and friendships.
Recommended.
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