The Condition tells the story of the McKotches, a proper New England family that comes apart during one fateful summer. The year is 1976, and the family- Frank McKotch, an emminent scientist; his pedigreed wife, Paulette; and their three beautiful children-has embarked on its annual vacation at the Captain's House, a grand old family retreat on Cape Cod. one day on the beach, Frank is strucked by an image he cannot forget: his thirteen-year-old daughter, Gwen, strangely infantile in her child-sized bikini, standing a full head shorter than her younger cousin, Charlotte. At that moment he knows a truth that he can never again unknow- something is terribly wrong with his only daughter. The McKotch family will never be the same.
Compassionate yet unflinchingly honest, witty and almost painfully astute, The Condition explores the power of family mythologies-the self-delusions, denials, and inescapable truths that forever binds fathers, mothers and siblings.
I bought this book almost a year ago already and only now that I find the time to reunite with it. I had this during one of my usual trips to bookstores, mindlessly browsing for books I do not really intend to buy but just to kill time. When I saw this and read the synopsis, I thought it was interesting (stories involving unusual physiological and psychological conditions and the web of life surrounding it appeals to me much than I expect). Without second thoughts I bought it forgetting that I am currently writing my thesis and reading related literature is far more productive than spending time with this. Lucky me I was still able to accommodate more or less the first 50 pages before I finally set it aside. Thank goodness for the luxury of time I have now. I am able to give my imagination its daily dose of creative and happy exercise.
You may want to check this book, too. I am not done with it yet but all I can say it that so far it is moving and insightful.
Bisou, xx
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