Nothing ever stays the same

Nothing ever stays the same, argues Anna Quindlen in her novel Miller’s Valley. Time changes things, as Quindlen argues directly through the mouth of Tommy during one of Tommy’s visits home, and while speaking to Mimi. Tommy explains that it is stupid to think that things could stay the same, especially when so many things are out of one’s control.

Mimi’s recounting of her early life – from her childhood through her twenties –is one of many changes. Though most of these changes are not overwhelming, and none are critical for Miller’s Valley as a whole, they are still life altering in important ways for Mimi. When Mimi is young, she looks up to both her brothers, but Tommy, the troublemaker, only gets worse as he gets older. His heavy drinking and involvement in drugs after his return...