Fanny
Part 1: 7am – 2pm
Mick
There are a lot of things I want to talk about, but since Mick got the last sentence of this part, I will start with him. Mick is very problematic, but I have to say, I don’t hate him. I was not surprised at all when he left again – once a cheater, always a cheater. Most people cannot handle fame, particularly when they come from a very simple background, like Mick does. His parents were no role models and the music and film industry people he surrounds himself with, are probably no better. Of course, that doesn’t excuse his behavior, but I feel like it explains it, and, as an outsider, was quite predictable. Although, I have to say, I was surprised about the twist with the other child (Hud) and how easily June took him in and raised him as his own. As to your question “What’s going on inside his head?”, I think the answer is Nothing! He is so self-absorbed, and dopamine-addicted that he does not think at all. Or, to put it differently, he thinks with his penis and not his brain.
June and Mick also have a problematic relationship. From the very beginning, June depended way too much on him. Once they started dating, her existence was defined through him. She is not June Riva, an independent person but Mick Riva’s girl, Mick Riva’s wife, the mother of Mick Riva’s children. I understand that this was typical for this time but in most relationships the gap was not as big. For example, June’s mother was probably also very dependent on her husband, but they worked at the restaurant together. And June’s father clearly cared about her and her wellbeing. Even though we don’t know how involved he was in raising her, he definitely loved her. Mick, on the other hand, didn’t really care about his children, particularly Nina. He only cared about her loving and trusting him, which is why he acted a certain way. I think June takes him back because she feels lost without him. Although she is hurt by his actions, she is not a full person without him and, thus, accepts him back in her life. Both of them are tragically week in different ways.
In the 80s timeline, it does not seem that either of the parents is still in the kids’ lives; therefore, I think the parents’ story will end quite tragically.
Setup of the Story
I really enjoy the way the story is set up: divided into hourly chapters and with a second timeline. The chapters seem like somewhat of a countdown to an event which will take place in the early hours of the morning at or after the party. Even though we only get 24 hours with the four siblings, quick flashbacks to the near past and the second storyline to the far past give a complete picture of the siblings’ lives, and their dreams and fears. At the moment, their parents’ story does not seem relevant yet. Of course, it is interesting, but I feel like it will tie together more in further chapters. I prefer this back-and-forth to a linear timeline because it always leave me wanting more.
Present Time / The Siblings
While their siblings are very important to them and their single-generation-family is what holds them together and gives their lives stability, they are all very different and equally interesting to me.
With Nina, unfortunately, history seems to repeat itself. Her husband cheated on her and then he left. Luckily, they did not have children, yet, and I think Nina is smart and independent enough not to take him back. As the oldest, and with her parents apparently not in their lives anymore, Nina takes care of their younger brothers and sister. I feel like there might be more of an explanation in further flashbacks. She seems to be selfless to a point where it might be unhealthy. Although, the other three don’t seem to notice when it comes to how much Nina cares about and for them (e.g., the sandwich), they do notice in general and in the context of how she takes care of the cleaners. Luckily, Nina is more independent than her mother and she has her independent life, dreams, and career. I don’t like how she is stereotyped as a “surfer-babe” and harassed by men, but I guess she is also a victim of her time.
Jay was a bit boring to me, in the beginning. He’s a stud, an athlete, a hot and popular surfer who likes to chase girls. But when he revealed his heart condition, I realized that he was facing a big decision which made him very conflicted. The life he knows is over and I’m sure that will have a big influence on his decisions.
Hud is a lot like Nina, but it seems to go unnoticed. He does not want to be the center of attention, so he stays behind the camera. The fact that he keeps his relationship with Ashley quiet as to not hurt his brother is, in my opinion, selfless of him, rather than cowardly as we might be made to believe. He is also the only one who does not have professional surfing ambitions. I wonder if he sometimes feels like he doesn’t belong. Although the others never seem to make him feel like he’s not one of them, he appears to be somewhat withdrawn. I feel like Ashley is the only one who really sees him and that’s why he loves her. I hope everything works out at the party and Jay and Hud will get along after Jay finds out.
Kit is the little one who still needs to find her place. She has three older siblings who look out for her but who are also very protective of her both in a positive and negative way. Their protectiveness prevents Kit from experimenting and finding out who she is outside of her family. I find it very sad that she has so many self-doubts. It almost broke my heart to read that she thought of herself as talented enough to be a pro-surfer but that she didn’t have the looks for it. In some ways I think she represents a lot of teenagers and young adults.
Surfing, a Theme
Surfing is the central theme of the story, also on the cover; However, I think it doesn’t affect the story at all. It is something, the four siblings share but if the story were set somewhere different the theme could be anything else (at least so far). For example, set the story in Montana and the theme might be horses, or set it in Nashville and the theme is country music. Maybe this will change and the fact that the theme is surfing will gain more relevance.
However, in my opinion, the spirit or vibe of 80s Malibu was perfectly captured. Surfing as a theme, the increasing importance of Malibu as a home of stars and remaining locals, and, most of all, the language. Taylor Jenkins Reid was either around at that time or did great research.
Btw, the name Taylor is gender neutral. I wonder if the author is a man or a woman. I don’t want to look it up yet because I think this might be interesting as we move along the story.
Prologue, Open Questions
Lastly, I need to talk about the foreshadowing in the prologue and in something Jay thinks. The prologue implies that someone at the party will set a fire, someone with the habit of destroying things. This makes me wonder if we have already met this person of if they are still unknown to us. Was the fire set on purpose by an arsonist or a destructive person or was it an accident from someone who is good at self-sabotaging? We also know that this night changes everything. Does Nina lose her house to the fire or is there more? Lastly, Jay has a feeling that it will be their last time surfing together and the narrator confirms this suspicion. Does one of them die? Is Nina too selfless and dies trying to save someone from the fire? Does Jay’s heart just give up? Does Hud’s revelation hurt Jay so much that they will never get along anymore? Does Kit decide to break out in some way?
I’m very excited for the next part!
