A Sense of Occasion by Brodie Crellin Review
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A Sense of Occasion by Brodie Crellin review – a surprising and darkly funny debut
In literature, dysfunctional families are a staple trope, but what sets Brodie Crellin’s A Sense of Occasion apart is its unflinching portrayal of a family that never had the luxury of an “illusion” to begin with. This isn’t a story about the crumbling nuclear family, but one where characters are already entrenched in their quirks and flaws.
Crellin’s writing style is sharp and witty, capturing the intricacies of her characters’ relationships with precision. The cast of misfits is diverse and fully realized: Patch, the anxious daughter, is matched by Jude, her domineering cousin, a playwright with a flair for making an entrance. Their interactions are like a delicate dance, full of tension and complexity.
The novel’s use of multiple perspectives and fragmented recollections adds to its natural flow, allowing readers to piece together the family’s messy history. Crellin handles sensitive topics like sex and relationships with nuance and consideration, never veering into sentimentality or sleaze.
One striking aspect of A Sense of Occasion is its exploration of class critiques through Jude and her mother’s interactions. While this aspect can feel heavy-handed at times, it’s largely forgiven due to the enjoyment of watching these characters collide. The witty one-liners they exchange are particularly noteworthy, often landing with precision and humor.
At its core, A Sense of Occasion is a story about flawed people who love badly and get in each other’s way. Crellin’s depiction of Patch, the grief-stricken daughter, serves as the novel’s heartbeat. Her character is both awkward and raw, perpetually misunderstood by her family members.
In many ways, A Sense of Occasion feels like a modern take on classic mid-century stories, particularly Dorothy Baker’s Cassandra at the Wedding. Crellin’s boldness in tackling sensitive topics and her ability to balance humor and heart make this novel stand out. It’s a testament to the power of literature to capture the complexities of human relationships.
As characters navigate their way through grief, tensions simmer, and family secrets are revealed, A Sense of Occasion becomes a kaleidoscope of emotions. The author’s writing is both incisive and compassionate, never shying away from the darker aspects of family dynamics. This unflinching portrayal makes the novel feel natural and effortless.
The funeral gathering in A Sense of Occasion serves as more than just a catalyst for conflict; it’s an opportunity to explore the intricacies of family relationships. Crellin uses this setting to delve into the complexities of grief, love, and acceptance. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope – and always room for growth.
A Sense of Occasion is a novel that will linger long after its final page is turned. Its characters will haunt you, their quirks and flaws seared into your memory like a vivid tattoo. But it’s the love they share – messy, imperfect, and often suffocating – that ultimately makes this novel a triumph.
Reader Views
- TCThe Cart Desk · editorial
The real triumph of A Sense of Occasion lies in its refusal to romanticize working-class life, instead imbuing it with a sense of gritty authenticity that's all too often missing from middle-class literary fare. While Crellin deserves credit for tackling class critiques head-on, the novel would benefit from more nuance in its portrayal of privilege – specifically, how characters outside this family navigate their own relationships with power and money.
- PRPat R. · frugal living writer
Brodie Crellin's A Sense of Occasion is a masterful exploration of the complexities that arise when characters don't have the luxury of romanticizing their family dynamics. However, readers seeking a traditionally polished narrative may find some scenes heavy-handed in their class critiques. To truly appreciate the novel's depth, I'd argue that readers should focus on how Crellin expertly mines tension from interactions rather than plot developments. This technique rewards close attention and makes for a riveting reading experience.
- SBSam B. · deal hunter
While Brodie Crellin's A Sense of Occasion is indeed a darkly funny and unflinching portrayal of a dysfunctional family, I'm still left wondering about the economic implications of its class critiques. The novel's focus on Jude's playwright background and her mother's working-class struggles feels somewhat sanitized, particularly given the dearth of genuinely middle-class characters. Where are the families teetering between affluence and poverty? How do their relationships with wealth and privilege affect their dynamics? It's a crucial aspect to explore, especially in literature that often glosses over class disparities for the sake of more palatable "universal" themes.