A Heartfelt Exploration of Family Dynamics: Review of The Usual Desire to Kill by Julie Barnes
When I first picked up The Usual Desire to Kill by Julie Barnes, I was immediately drawn in by the promise of an introspective journey through the lens of family dynamics set against the serene backdrop of the French countryside. As someone who effortlessly gets lost in stories about familial relationships, this novel felt like it had all the elements I adore—animals, a tranquil setting, and the depth of human connection. However, while it ticked many boxes, it also left me yearning for more substance in the narrative.
The novel revolves around Miranda and her complex relationship with her parents, painting a poignant picture of their quirks and idiosyncrasies. Miranda’s father, an introspective, routine-loving character, reminded me a great deal of my own dad, whose quiet intellect often creates both comfort and frustration. There’s something undeniably relatable in reading about Miranda’s mother, who “wears the pants” in the family dynamic—a connection that stirred up nostalgia for my own parental experiences. This exploration of familial relationships is at the heart of the book, and I found myself smiling and feeling a bittersweet pang of longing for my own parents as I navigated their story.
Barnes’s writing is, as expected, beautiful and thoughtful. However, I wished for more vivid descriptions that would allow me to truly immerse myself in the picturesque countryside. While the themes of family dynamics and introspection are rich, the prose occasionally felt more like sketches than fully painted scenes. I couldn’t help but feel that this novel had the bones of a great story but lacked the hearty meat to keep me fully engaged. The pacing, while deliberate, sometimes verged on tedious, and the introduction of multiple timelines left me feeling adrift rather than enriched.
A quote that resonated with me was, “All that was certain was that the curtain must go up and at some point it would come down again. In between the two, whatever happened, you had to keep going.” This captures the essence of life’s uncertainties beautifully, even if the book itself sometimes felt like it was stalling in the in-between.
Ultimately, The Usual Desire to Kill is an exploration—albeit a slow one—into the sometimes messy, sometimes endearing world of family life. While I appreciated the introspection and the relatable moments that made me smile, I craved a bit more cohesiveness and substance from the narrative. This book may resonate with readers who appreciate quiet stories that invite self-reflection and evoke familial sentiment.
In conclusion, while this novel left me with a sense of melancholy and a desire for more, I still genuinely enjoyed the experience. I’d be curious to see what Barnes brings to the table in her next work, as her insights into family life are well worth exploring further. Thank you to Scribner for gifting me this copy in exchange for my honest review, and for those considering this book, take heart—there’s beauty in the exploration, even if it feels a bit unfinished.
Trigger Warning: Miscarriage, Animal Death.
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