The Hole We're In

The average American family has about $8,000 in credit card debt.  The Pomeroy's in Gabrielle Zevin's The Hole We're In, unfortunately, are anything but average.  Roger, an assistant principal at a Christian high school, leaves his job to pursue a PhD, leaving his wife George (Georgia) to take care the family financially.  Roger's meager salary, only $5,000 for the year, combined with George's hourly wage at a temp. job, causes their debt to escalate to extremes.  With their daughter Helen's impending wedding, George makes some drastic financial decisions.

This novel follows Roger and George and their three children:  Vincent, Helen and Patricia (Patsy).  Each child digs themselves into holes of their own and we're able to easily follow them through Zevin's biting commentary.  From over zealous Christians to the war in Iraq we're able to see just how delicate a balance life is. 

I was struck by some similarities I saw in Zevin's characters to myself.  In each work I've read of hers, I am always able to find myself somewhere.  I truly believe it is the ability to write such life-like characters, that makes Zevin such a fantastic author to read.  She takes risks, writes in different styles and always finds a compelling story in such simple concepts.