We Would Never by Tova Mirvis

I´ve read almost everything Tova Mirvis wrote, but I haven´t been prepared for a crime novel. The only visible connection between her previous books and her latest We Would Never is the Jewish - although discrete - identity of the main characters. The rest is pure psychological crime novel, inspired by a real crime that the author herself confessed being obsessed about for a long time.

First, we have a happy young family, middle class Jewish intellectuals, Hailey and Jonah, and their little daughter Maya. But suddenly Jonah decided to leave and a painful divorce proceeding is starting, that gets more complicated by the day, once Hailey´s mother, the stong willed Sherry, insisted to have Hailey and Maya returning to Miami.

The complex family dynamics and the inherent secrets are revealed once we are advancing into the story. The past - neutrally recreated from the interventions all the main characters - intertwins with the present, told in short installments from Hailey´s perspective. 

´It´s almost funny, isn´t it? I dedicated my entire life to my kids, but apparently have no idea what any of them need (...)´

Except the little Maya, none of the characters are likeable. Some are despicable, although their intentions may be altruistic and pure. But the question of how far one mother can go for her children - even against their own will - is followed by the discussion about evil in the name of good. 

In subtext, there is also a temptation of being priviledged, as Hailey´s family believes that their money advantage can be a way to achieve no matter how and what. 

The story has a strain of high predictability as 60% into the book I was sure where it heads, and the story followed a certain expected pattern, despite a slight story twist. However, what really disappointed me was the fact that the characters live in a bubble, without any social connections and network, besides the family members. The book has a big cast of characters, indeed, but after a while you feel that the characters co-exist in an artificious environment. The most promeminent character who is not a family member is Tara, who is lacking any serious ground as it is difficult to imagine her outside her working role in the family equation.

Despite the shortcomings, I´ve read We Would Never in a long weekend reading rush, as it offers food for thought about family obsessions and diversion of maternal love. I would definitely interested to find out more about the real crime that inspired the book as well.

Rating: 3.5 stars