In FamilyLife, Russell Banks'' first novel, he transforms the dramas of domesticity intothe story of a royal family in a mythical contemporary kingdom. Life insidethis kingdom includes the king (dubbed "the Hearty" or "the Bluff"), whosqueals angrily as is his wont; the queen, who, while pondering the mirror inher chambers, decides to write a book; and three adolescent princes who are,respectively, a superb wrestler, a fanatical sports car driver, and a sullendrunk.
Then thereare the mysterious Green Man with a thing for princes; the Loon, who lives in atree house designed by Christopher Wren; and a whole slew of murders, mayhem,coups, debauches, world tours, and love and loss and laughter.
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