In "The Unfolding," A.M. Homes masterfully crafts a riveting tale that delves deep into the heart of a nation teetering on the brink of division. Through the eyes of the Big Guy, a man whose love for his family and country propels him into the murky waters of political machinations following the 2008 presidential election, Homes weaves a darkly comic political parable that exposes the underbelly of the American Dream. As the Big Guy orchestrates a cunning plan with like-minded individuals to seize back control, he finds his personal life spiraling into chaos, with his wife, Charlotte, mourning the paths not taken, and his daughter, Meghan, awakening to the harsh realities that history—and her father—may not be as straightforward as she once believed. A.M. Homes returns with a narrative tour de force in "The Unfolding," blending the personal and political into a compelling bildungsroman that questions the very fabric of American identity. This novel is a poignant exploration of power, truth, and democracy, revealing the perilous consequences when these ideals diverge within a single household. With razor-sharp wit and a keen eye for the absurdities of contemporary life, Homes challenges readers to reconsider what it means to coexist in a society where shared words can have vastly different meanings. "The Unfolding" is not just a story about the fractures within a family or a country; it is a profound commentary on the state of the modern world, both devastatingly funny and deeply tender.