The Vincent family faces a profound fracture in their domestic stability when a sudden, life-altering accident forces them to confront the hidden fissures beneath their suburban facade. As the seven children navigate the shifting dynamics of their Irish Catholic upbringing in the Boston suburbs, they must reconcile their mother's vivacious spirit with the destructive reality of their father's alcoholism. The narrative unfolds through a series of interconnected vignettes, capturing the passage of time and the evolving perspectives of the siblings as they attempt to maintain a sense of unity. These characters operate within the rigid social expectations of their class and faith, struggling to balance individual identity against the weight of familial loyalty.

This work is frequently noted for its precise, understated prose that captures the nuances of family dynamics without resorting to melodrama. The episodic structure allows the reader to witness the gradual erosion of the family's stability, mirroring the way children slowly become aware of their parents' flaws. Critics often highlight the author's ability to maintain a consistent emotional resonance across the various time jumps in the narrative. The book serves as a study of how shared history and trauma function as both a source of conflict and a mechanism for survival within a household. The narrative style suggests a focus on the internal lives of the characters rather than external plot-driven events, creating a quiet but persistent tension throughout the text.