In the Family Way

Becker’s eye-opening debut follows a group of suburban housewives in 1960s middle America whose weekly canasta game provides a stage for weighty issues faced by women of the era. Among them are Lily Berg, a doctor’s wife with a young child and expecting a second; Rose Seigel, a teacher with a physically abusive husband; and Becca Hudson, who’s pregnant for the fourth time. The plot centers on Rose’s attempt to get a divorce, which she can’t do unless she’s able to provide evidence of her husband’s assaults. Meanwhile, Becca seeks an illegal abortion from Lily’s husband and winds up in the hospital, causing Lily immense guilt. Becker adds depth to her depiction of the women’s damaged friendship and Lily’s attempt to repair it, and to a subplot focused on pregnant teen Betsy Ann Eubanks, whom Lily takes in from a home for unwed mothers to help with household work. Throughout, Becker shines an illuminating light on the state of women’s lives and rights before Roe v. Wade, particularly surrounding issues of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy and divorce. It’s an intriguing and relevant time capsule. (June)