We Were the Mulvaneys
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| Author | Joyce Carol Oates |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | E P Dutton (HB) & G P Putnam's Sons (PB) |
| Released | 1996 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 454 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-525-94223-8 (hardback edition) & ISBN 0-452-27720-5 (paperback edition) |
We Were the Mulvaneys is a novel written by Joyce Carol Oates and was published in 1996. We Were the Mulvaneys was featured in Oprah's Book Club in 2001.
The Mulvaneys, a family living in the small, rural town of Mt. Ephraim, NY during the later part of the 20th century, are the perfect family: four kids, the owners of a successful roofing business, and a high social status. We Were the Mulvaneys tells the tale of the demise of this perfect family - an incident that is hushed up in town and never spoken of again. It is this incident that shatters the family fabric with tragic consequences.
[edit] Plot summary
Michael and Corinne Mulvaney are the parents of four children: Michael, Patrick, Marianne, and Judd. Living in a picture perfect farm in upstate New York, the Mulvaneys own a successful roofing company; Michael Mulvaney is considered a serious business-man. Corinne is a bubbly, earthy mom whose life revolves around the family unit. For nearly twenty years the Mulvaney clan is going strong and thriving. Throughout the years they were always admired throughout Mt. Ephraim for being the model family.
On St. Valentine's night, 1976, Marianne Mulvaney, after prom, goes to a party where she becomes intoxicated by drinking a great deal and is, unfortunately, raped by an upperclassman whose father is a well respected businessman and friend of Mr. Mulvaney.
Marianne's rape is the beginning of a tumultuous fifteen-year period. Her father, lost and angry, does not understand why she will not press charges. He can no longer look at his daughter the same way, and sends her to live with a distant relative of Corinne's in Salamanca, NY. Marianne, moving from place to place hapzardly, continues to wait for her father to call on her - but never does. He dies of alcoholism.
As for her other family members, things continue to get worse. All three of the Mulvaney boys leave home angrily, never to return. One going as far as trying to murder his sister's rapist. Michael Mulvaney's casual drinking turns into full-fledged alcoholism. Gradually, his reputation as a respected businessman disintegrates. The Mulvaneys are forced into bankruptcy and forced to sell the farm.
Eventually, Corinne and Michael split up. After many years, the Mulvaneys reunite again in a family reunion at Corinne's new home she shares with her friend. The family has extended to include spouses and children. Finally, the Mulvaneys come full circle and receive closure.
[edit] Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
We Were the Mulvaneys was made into a television movie in 2002 with Blythe Danner, which was nominated for three Emmys.
