Nothing to See Here: Review

Nothing to See Here Published by Ecco by Kevin Wilson, Marin Ireland
on October 29, 2019
Genres: Fiction, Magical Realism, Contemporary, Fantasy, Family & Relationships
Pages: 272
Source: Borrowed, Libby
Format: eBook
Reading Challenges: Beat the Backlist 2020
Find the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

ISBN: 0062957864
Rating:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Family Fang, a moving and uproarious novel about a woman who finds meaning in her life when she begins caring for two children with a remarkable ability.
Lillian and Madison were unlikely roommates and yet inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. But then Lillian had to leave the school unexpectedly in the wake of a scandal and they’ve barely spoken since. Until now, when Lillian gets a letter from Madison pleading for her help.
Madison’s twin stepkids are moving in with her family and she wants Lillian to be their caretaker. However, there’s a catch: the twins spontaneously combust when they get agitated, flames igniting from their skin in a startling but beautiful way. Lillian is convinced Madison is pulling her leg, but it’s the truth.
Thinking of her dead-end life at home, the life that has consistently disappointed her, Lillian figures she has nothing to lose. Over the course of one humid, demanding summer, Lillian and the twins learn to trust each other—and stay cool—while also staying out of the way of Madison’s buttoned-up politician husband. Surprised by her own ingenuity yet unused to the intense feelings of protectiveness she feels for them, Lillian ultimately begins to accept that she needs these strange children as much as they need her—urgently and fiercely. Couldn’t this be the start of the amazing life she’d always hoped for?
With white-hot wit and a big, tender heart, Kevin Wilson has written his best book yet—a most unusual story of parental love.

It’s rare to read a story where the characters are all difficult to like and for me to still enjoy the story. In Nothing to See Here, there Lillian can’t seem to catch a break. She manages to get herself to an elite boarding school, despite her financial circumstances. And then, due to a situation outside of her control, gets expelled. It’s arguable that her best friend Madison is both responsible for Lillian’s misfortune’s and, also, Lillian’s only real friend.

After years of Lillian basically being a useless human being, Madison needs her help… And from there, this story just takes off.

Lillian, while not the most sympathetic character, has such a genuine kindness that I’m fairly certain even she’s not aware of. And, she also has a very soft spot for children. Which comes in handy when Madison asks her to take care of her step-children–that catch fire. Yeah, I’m not joking.

This is where the magical realism comes in. And, honestly, it’s the only place that it comes in. The rest of the setting, is pretty “normal”. If normal is caring for the spontaneously combusting children of a politician father, who doesn’t want much to do with them.

This story is mostly about what it means to really be a family. What it means to sacrifice for people who aren’t really your people and what that looks like. I would like to say that many characters went through personal growth, but, Lillian seems to be the most responsible by the end of the story.

Told with a witty, and oftentimes satirical voice, Wilson delivers in this witty tale of growing up and taking responsibility.

 

Rating Breakdown
Plot
Characters
Writing
Pacing
Overall:

 

 

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• Beat the Backlist 2020

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