
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Being a typical English major, books were quite high on my 2019 Christmas list, and the addition of Laurie Frankel’s “This Is How it Always is” to my bookshelf certainly did not disappoint. While I started it thinking it would be a relaxing piece of heartwarming entertainment to distract myself from school starting up again, it actually ended up being deeply thought-provoking, holding within its covers so many lessons vital to our modern lives. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The novel is told through the lens of loving,
progressive parents, Rosie and Penn. Raising five children, five <em>boys </em>especially is an impossible feat,
but somehow, they’re managing to a damn good job. Each of their sons is
exceptional, special, and a little odd. So, when five-year-old Claude, their
youngest and brightest little boy, wants to dress up in princess clothes, high
heels, and bikinis, it’s not too high on their list of concerns. As long as
he’s safe, they’re fully on board with letting him do what makes him happy. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As Claude begins to grow up, starting
kindergarten and joining the outside world, it becomes increasingly clear that
his dream of being a little girl is much, much more than a fantasy. And that
makes things complicated. Penn and Rosie’s love for Claude is unconditional,
but so is their desire to protect him, and unfortunately, the world is much
tougher on people who are different. Claude is only five when the story begins,
and it’s amazing to watch the phenomenal growth and strength of such a young,
passionate child develop throughout the book. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At its core, this is a story about family. One
big jumbled mess of love and secrets; willing to do anything to protect one
another. Whether that means moving across the country, across the world, or
bulldozing a brand-new path through a future that once seemed so easy, only to
discover something much more beautiful was in store for them all along. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This book took my breath away. There were so
many moments when I was paralyzed by how real everything in the novel is, even
if the story itself is fiction. It honestly taught me so much, but most of all
it showed me that learning and growing never ends, we can <em>always</em> be better and do better. Above all, it made me think in
ways, and with new perspectives, that I never had before.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This book genuinely is something everyone needs to read. It’s funny and entertaining, tear-evoking and painfully honest, but most of all it has enormous implications in our society and in the way we should all be treating one another: with pride. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cover Photo: thestranger.com</p>
 <!-- WP Biographia v4.0.0 -->
<div class="wp-biographia-container-top" style="background-color: #FFEAA8; border-top: 4px solid #000000;"><div class="wp-biographia-pic" style="height:100px; width:100px;"><img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/96952607a863dae349a14b2705c2470482968d2e76ab6861a761f60a07d21d09?s=100&#038;d=wp_user_avatar&#038;r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/96952607a863dae349a14b2705c2470482968d2e76ab6861a761f60a07d21d09?s=200&#038;d=wp_user_avatar&#038;r=g 2x' class='wp-biographia-avatar avatar-100 photo' height='100' width='100' /></div><div class="wp-biographia-text"><h3>About <a href="https://tulanemagazine.com/author/rbunszel/" title="Renee Bunszel">Renee Bunszel</a></h3><p>Renee Bunszel is a sophomore from the Bay Area, and an English major and SLAMM minor. Renee loves reading, writing, and eating all the delicious food in New Orleans!</p><div class="wp-biographia-links"><small><ul class="wp-biographia-list wp-biographia-list-text"><li><a href="mailto:&#114;&#98;&#117;nsze&#108;&#64;tul&#97;ne&#46;&#101;du" target="_self" title="Send Renee Bunszel Mail" class="wp-biographia-link-text">Mail</a></li> | <li><a href="https://tulanemagazine.com/author/rbunszel/" target="_self" title="More Posts By Renee Bunszel" class="wp-biographia-link-text">More Posts(25)</a></li></ul></small></div></div></div><!-- WP Biographia v4.0.0 -->

The Crescent Book Club: “This Is How it Always is”
