Angie Kim’s second novel, after her first, Miracle Creek, follows much the same format, style, and even texture, as her first. This is not a criticism, however, because both novels are well done, well written, well planned. Her second, Happiness Falls, is even stronger than her first, and an even more satisfying read.
Like her first novel, Happiness Falls also is centred on one single mysterious episode, potentially criminal, and one family (once again a Korean American family), within which there is a member of the family who is on the autistic scale. In this case, 14 year old Eugene is has the genetic condition of the Angelman syndrome, where his motor skills are very poorly coordinated, leading to his being trapped by struggling to communicate. However, he is not non-verbal (non-verbal would mean not just not-speaking, but having no words, as the author takes great pains to ensure the reader understands and appreciates the difference between non-verbal and having no words). Indeed, in the author’s note, Kim tells us that one of her motivations in writing “about people who have trouble expressing themselves” is because
the bias against them is as painful and perplexing as anything I’ve encountered. Whether you’re an immigrant, you stutter, or you have autism, aphasia, apraxia/dyspraxia, or Angelman syndrome – there are so many reasons why you might have trouble speaking, unrelated to the quality of your thoughts. […] in interrogating and tearing down our society’s deeply ingrained assumption that oral fluency I equivalent to intelligence. Just because you can’t speak doesn’t mean you can’t think or understand (p377-8).
This novel takes place during the pandemic lockdown, though the lockdown is not centre-staged. It does play a role however, in the whodunnit suspense. The story begins that the father of the 3 children (John and Mia, twins, 20) and Eugene, had gone for his daily walk with Eugene to the park. Unusually, Eugene runs home alone, and the father is never seen again. The search for him reveals clues that at first seem incriminating, but then goes on to reveal several secrets which affect the whole family. Kim’s planning of information release is thoughtful and thorough; the reader looks through Mia’s eyes and thoughts, and shares her particular data set and knowledge. The writing is tight, lucid, flowing. The pace is quick and the narrative eventful. The characters are well developed, and we get a wonderful sense of this family, its bonds, it rituals, its uniqueness. We also get a glimpse of what Angelman syndrome comprises and some of its challenges.
As with her first novel, Kim writes as an insider, knowing intimately the struggles and challenges of looking after an autistic child. She acknowledges the importance of support groups, but also notes the common problems within these groups, as well as in the wider society:
Shaming about over-parenting, under-parenting, helicopter-parenting, ghost-parenting, puppeteer-parenting, free-range parenting, overfeeding, underfeeding, over-disciplining, under-disciplining – we knew all the subcategories, this being a frequent topic of family-breakfast ranting by Dad” (p137).
Compounding the management of the Angelman syndrome, the novel also focuses on trying to measure happiness; there are lovely discussions on why a quotient is a better measure, being more nuanced, and how baseline or expectations affect the experience of happiness.
There is also a lovely inclusion here and there of being Korean American. Interestingly, the twin, John, looks nearly Caucasian, while Mia looks more Korean (and Eugene is the perfect fusion). Mia finds that when they are in Korea, she is put down for not being able to speak Korean fluently, while her twin is lauded for trying to speak a little – even when their grandmother explains they are twins and from the same background/situation. The gender difference may also have something to do with the differing receptions from Korean society. Kim links fluency in language to empowerment and identity, noting how Mia felt like a ‘bah-bo’ – an incompetent or idiot – when deprived of fluency, even temporarily, in speech, and therefore how important fluent speech is in representing us, our intelligences and competences, and how we typically over-rate its importance.
Overall, a very enjoyable read, and here’s looking forward to Kim’s third novel!
Overall, a very enjoyable read, and here’s looking forward to Kim’s 3rd novel!
Really liked the title you chose, Speaking Troubles!