Disobedience

More about the book

A young man grapples with the fallout of his mother's affair with a violin-maker, a revelation he uncovers by accidentally accessing her email. In this warmly humorous and poignant novel, Henry Shaw, a high school senior, navigates the complexities of family life. His father, Kevin, teaches history at Henry's private school, while his mother, Beth, is a devoted wife and musician. Henry also copes with his quirky thirteen-year-old sister, Elvira, who has a penchant for Civil War reenactments. However, everything changes when Henry discovers his mother's email account, revealing her affair with Richard Polloco, a charming violin maker. Despite his better judgment, Henry follows the emotional rollercoaster of his mother's infatuation—her joy, guilt, and confusion—while it influences his own tentative steps into love with the ephemeral Lily. As he witnesses his parents' arguments, often about Elvira, Henry contemplates the implications of this secret on their family dynamics. Years later, his reflections reveal that his mother's affair is more than just a story of infidelity; it offers profound insights into love and the intricate bonds that unite families.