In "The Middlesteins," Jami Attenberg masterfully weaves the tale of a family coming apart at the seams, anchored by the larger-than-life matriarch, Edie Middlestein. Her obsession with food is tearing her health apart, and in turn, the fabric of her family. As Edie's condition worsens, the Middlestein clan must confront their own roles in this unfolding drama—Richard, her abandoning husband; Robin, their fiercely judgmental daughter; Benny, the peacemaker son; and Rachelle, the daughter-in-law on a misguided mission to save Edie. Attenberg crafts a story that is at once a profound commentary on the complexities of familial love and the personal battles we fight with our own desires. Set against the backdrop of suburban Chicago, "The Middlesteins" is a reflection on the American dream gone awry, where the pursuit of happiness is often muddled with the pursuit of fulfillment, be it emotional or physical. Attenberg's narrative is a compassionate exploration of addiction, resilience, and the lengths we go to save those we love, even as they resist our efforts. With a keen eye for detail and a heart big enough to embrace each flawed character, Attenberg offers a witty, poignant, and ultimately hopeful look at what it means to be part of a family, in all its messy glory.