The Mulvaneys have what appear to be a perfect life--four happy and out-going children, all successful in their own ways, growing up together on their idyllic New England farm. Then something happens to their daughter that changes not only her life, but shows how fragile their entire family relationship really is.
This report prepared by Carole Waterhouse
"We Were the Mulvaneys" , is the story of the destruction and regeneration of a family caused by the rape of the teenage, cheerleader daughter. Unwilling to testify against the rapist because she was drinking at the time, the daughter , Marianne, refuses to prosecute. Her father,Michael, a head of a small roofing business, takes the law into his own hands and attacks the father of the rapist. He is fined and given probation. From there, the family's life goes downhill, from a happy existence on a farm, filled with animals and freedom, to a constricted life in the suburbs with only the youngest of three sons mother, Corinne, present. Oates fills the story with colorful characters and a wealth of details, making the restoration of the family fascinating reading.
This report prepared by Betty-Jeanne Korson
