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Fifteen years ago, the three Wilson children suffered a terrible shock: their father - lovingly known as "the octopus" for his constant interference in their young lives - died suddenly while traveling on business. Life somehow went on, and now they are all adults, pursuing adult lives with varying degrees of success.
Isabel, the only daughter, is a new mother with a faltering marriage and a career on hold. And as she steps onto her Los Angeles porch to retrieve the newspaper, she's about to receive another shock, courtesy of her father: he's not dead, but he might be soon if she doesn't get him to the ER right away. He also doesn't seem too apologetic about his fake death and disappearance - but they'll have to deal with that later.
Soon all of the Wilson siblings are reunited with their father, with all the mixed and complicated emotions one might expect. The Octopus is back - but maybe he should have stayed missing.
Sharply observed, mordantly funny, totally original, The Return of the Octopus is an irresistible novel about family and forgiveness.
