Familiar

Finished April 29

Familiar by J. Robert Lennon

I've had this book for a few years, and finally was moved to read it. It is a rather odd book, but compelling. I got this book as part of a book subscription series from Powell's in Portland, Oregon, and it a special edition, signed by the author and with a little leaflet that gives information on both the book and the author and has an interview the bookstore did with him. This book also contains discussion questions should you choose to read it as a book club. 

The main character, Elisa Brown, is driving home from Wisconsin to New York, a trip she makes annually to visit the grave of her younger son Silas who died in an accident at the age of fifteen. As she drives, she thinks and ponders the crack in her windshield, and lets her mind go where it will. She is partway through Ohio when suddenly things change. 

The crack in the windshield is gone. Her car window is closed, her clothes are different. She realizes that the car is a different car. She pulls over on the shoulder and looks around the vehicle. She sees a binder for a conference. When she looks inside there are receipts and confirmations, and she finds her name and job title. This is not the job she has. Her purse is the same, but there is a different phone. She finds herself paying close attention to things. She isn't panicking or scared, but she is very aware. When her phone rings and it is her husband she answers, worried something might be wrong, either with him or with their other son Sam. But he is just checking that she's on the road and he sounds sweet. This scares her, because that isn't something he's ever been. 

As Elisa gets back home, and adjusts to her husband, her job, her life, and that fact that both of her sons are still alive, she looks for answers. What happened? 

This is a book that will keep you reading, looking for answers alongside Elisa. It is a book that is disturbing and completely surprising.