She Treads Softly: The Float Test

Sunday, March 16, 2025

The Float Test

The Float Test by Lynn Steger Strong
4/8/25; 272 pages
HarperCollins

The Float Test by Lynn Steger Strong is a recommended literary family drama set in Florida.

The four Kenner family siblings come together after their mother dies. The oldest daughter Jenn, lives nearby and has a large family, Fred (Winnifred) is a writer who is unable to write, Jude is a former lawyer who has a teenage daughter and a grudge against Fred, and George is estranged from his wife and job. Jude is the omniscient narrator and describes everyone's experiences over two months during the summer in Florida.

First, the writing is quite descriptive and the potential for a great literary drama following a dysfunctional family is present. The descriptions of the hot, humid atmosphere in Florida is palpable.

All of these siblings have a strained relationship with each other, including secrets and grudges they are holding. There are numerous interpersonal issues, backstories, subplots, secrets, anxieties, and actions going on throughout the novel. unfortunately, none of the characters are compelling. Fred is decidedly annoying and the story focuses on her the most.

Unfortunately all of the well-written various parts don't coalesce into that one whole, complete story. 2.5 - rounded up for the descriptive writing. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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John Updike's six rules for reviewing:

1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.

2. Give him enough direct quotation--at least one extended passage--of the book's prose so the review's reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.

3. Confirm your description of the book with quotation from the book, if only phrase-long, rather than proceeding by fuzzy precis.

4. Go easy on plot summary, and do not give away the ending.

5. If the book is judged deficient, cite a successful example along the same lines, from the author's oeuvre or elsewhere. Try to understand the failure. Sure it's his and not yours?

To these concrete five might be added a vaguer sixth, having to do with maintaining a chemical purity in the reaction between product and appraiser.....Review the book, not the reputation.... Better to praise and share than blame and ban. The communion between reviewer and his public is based upon the presumption of certain possible joys in reading, and all our discriminations should curve toward that end.