The Review

I went into this novel with a mix of excitement and skepticism. I had enjoyed Smith’s first adult fiction novel, The Unsinkable Greta James, but was worried the magic wouldn’t hit the same twice. What I found instead was something even better.

Fun for the Whole Family follows the four Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—who haven’t spoken to one another since their father’s funeral three years earlier, partly due to Connor writing a “fictional” story that was clearly about their lives. However, when Jude, now an Oscar-nominated actress, urgently requests that the siblings meet up in a small town in North Dakota just days before the ceremony, the family obliges.

As the story unfolds, the novel weaves in memories from their childhood road trips—the ones Connor wrote about in his book—with their barely present mother. Those trips ultimately shaped the siblings’ futures and left behind nostalgia, resentment, and unanswered questions that now demand to be faced.

The heart of this novel lies in its characters. Each of “The Amazing Endicotts” is drawn with their own insecurities, regrets, and quiet hopes. Gemma, the eldest, bears the weight of having raised her siblings far too young and struggles with whether she even wants to become a mother, having already filled that role before. Connor grapples with his divorce and the success of his semi-autobiographical fiction novel that tore his siblings apart. Roddy, a professional soccer player, faces the burden of aging and the stigma of being an openly gay man in an athletic career, threatening his wedding for the chance at just one more season to prove himself. And Jude, seemingly the most successful, carries secrets that threaten to tear the family apart even further.

As the story unfolds, you don’t just observe this family; you become a part of it. Similar to The Unsinkable Greta James, Smith’s prose shines in this novel. Her writing is warm and incisive without being overly sentimental or cruel. She excels at capturing the things left unsaid—the dramatic irony that makes you wish you could hop into the novel and mediate the family. The shifting timelines and multiple perspectives handle this perfectly, allowing the past and present to slowly divulge information in a meaningful way.

Overall, Fun for the Whole Family is less about fun and more a beautifully crafted ode to family and siblinghood. While the cover may suggest a light read, this is a heartfelt family drama. Through moments of humor, the weight of insecurity, and the portrayal of love in its many forms, this book left me in tears. It acknowledges how complicated, painful, and enduring bonds can be, even with emotional and physical distance. It left me reflecting on my own life and my relationship with my brother, and how I hope our futures will unfold. Smith has delivered something truly special here, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.

The Summary

Fun for the Whole Family is less about fun and more a beautifully crafted ode to family and siblinghood. As the story unfolds, you don’t just observe this family; you become a part of it. While the cover may suggest a light read, this is a heartfelt family drama. Through moments of humor, the weight of insecurity, and the portrayal of love in its many forms, this book left me in tears. It acknowledges how complicated, painful, and enduring bonds can be, even with emotional and physical distance. It left me reflecting on my own life and my relationship with my brother, and how I hope our futures will unfold. Smith has delivered something truly special here, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.