Picturing Will

This is a very well-written account of adult lives as perceived through their relationships with a young boy, Will. The mother and father divorce when Will is young and the first half of the book is devoted to Will's life with his mother. The second half of the book is about Will with his father. The very last part is a flashback - Will is an adult viewing his childhood. This book is very different from Ann Beattie's characteristic minimalist style writing, and much better!

Picturing Will offers an perceptive insight into the minds of serveral interesting characters from several different perspectives. The pace is fast, the story interesting, the character development solid if somewhat fragmented. A wonderful insightful book which looks into the mind of a child, the mind of a step-parent, the mind of a divorced mother, and several other characters as well. Mostly though the book is about the effects of others actions on each other and the writing and style is masterful. Highly recommended especially to those unfamiliar with fragmented families.