Monday, January 4, 2010

Three Junes by Julia Glass

Three Junes by Julia Glass
353 pages
Published September 2002 by Random House
Source: I paid for this one out of my very own pocket

Read for the National Book Award Challenge--challenge completed!

In June of 1989, Paul McLeod, Scotsman, newspaper publisher and recent widower travels to Greece where he falls for a young American art student and reflects on his marriage.

Six years later, again in June, Paul McLeod's family has gathered to say goodbye to their patriach. Oldest son Fenno, introspective, gay bookseller from New York, is the narrator of this family reunion between himself, his twin brothers and their families. Light-hearted chef Dennis has arrived with his French wife and their three daughters. Serious veterinarian David, and his wife Lil have already laid claim to the family home. Throughout the stay, Fenno looks back on his own life even as his family drops one bombshell after another on him.

Four years later, in another June, we are reintroduced to the young American artist, Fern, and one of Fenno's former lovers, Tony, while they are staying in the home of Fenno's friend and business partner. Soon Fenno and Dennis arrive along with a "friend" of Tony's. This June centers more on Fern's widowhood and current pregnancy.

Each of the three Junes reads as a separate story that happens to have many of the same characters. Between the three stories, Glass explores almost every relationship there is: parent/child, sibling, lovers, friends. We're often told that people should write what they know in order to be successful. But Glass is clearly not a gay man, yet she does a wonderful job of exploring Fenno's life in New York, particularly his relationships with Tony (one that is almost purely physical) and Mal, with whom Fenno has, perhaps his closest relationship but one that never becomes physical. Glass does not try to tidy up all of the story lines but I was left with the impression that things had reached a comfort point for most of the characters.

I far and away preferred the middle story--which was a good thing because it was by far and away the longest story. The first story ended a bit abruptly for me, although some of the bits were tidied up in the second story. The third story, which brings so many disparate characters together, seemed a little too manipulative. But it was also the one that wrapped so many things up for Fenno so I was glad to have that. All in all, I liked the book but I'm not sure I would have considered it award worthy.

11 comments:

  1. I've tossed the idea of reading this one around a few times. I think for now I'm going to put it on the back burner!! Thanks for an excellent review of this novel!

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  2. For some reason, I started this book a few years ago, but never finished it. I had a hard time "getting into it". But I may well pick it up again. Thanks for your review.

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  3. I had this one on my shelf for awhile and tried to read it a few times but wasn't in the mindset or it didn't hold my interest. Then, I read another book by Julia Glass called The Whole World Over and loved the story and characters. Fenno is a minor character in this book and it made me more interested in reading Three Junes. I then read Three Junes and liked it a lot and appreciated Ms. Glass's writing style. I did prefer The Whole World Over, you may want to read that next.

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  4. I have a week to read this one for my bookclub. It sounds a lot different than I expected. Hopefully I will enjoy it!

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  5. I read this a while ago and remember enjoying it, but don't remember too much about each story.

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  6. I've been wanting to read this book for several years now. The reviews seem mixed. I've read 2 other Julia Glass books and although the covers were lovely, the stories failed to impress me.

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  7. I loved this and it was years ago. One of those quietly powerful books even as I don't quite remember/recall many details from your review. It was that lasting 'fond memory' feeling to it...

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  8. I don't recall reading this one but wasn't it made into a movie? I believe it was because the story seems so familiar to me.

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  9. I totally agree with you. I liked this book but I'm not clear on why it received an award over some others. I'm assuming the award givers must know something I don't. :-)

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  10. Teri, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett was published in the same year as Three Junes. In my opinion, it is a much better book. There were a couple of others that year as well that I would have thought would have won ahead of this.

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  11. Oh I really liked this one. I think maybe because I really liked the middle section narrated by Fenno. I don't know what it was, the book just did it for me. Great review! I hope you don't mind if I link your review to mine! Thanks!

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