Attenberg, Jami. The Middlesteins

Jami Attenberg, the author of this delightful new novel, grew up Buffalo Grove, and the novel itself is set in the Chicago suburbs, featuring many familiar landmarks.   For more than thirty years, Edie and Richard Middlestein have a shared a solid family life together.   They have close friends, have attended many spectacular b’nai mitzvah parties, and love their children and grandchildren.  Their lives are starting to fall apart, however, due to Edie’s increasing obsession and addiction to food.  As Edie’s girth grows and her health declines, their world together splinters apart.  This is a funny and charmingly poignant novel.  I highly recommend it for book clubs and everyone else who loves great character-centered family stories.