Chloë Ashby's 'Family Friends' Explores Marriage, Parenthood, and Moral Ambiguity

Chloë Ashby, an art critic and novelist, has unveiled her third book, 'Family Friends,' through Fig Tree. This latest work diverges from her earlier novels, 'Wet Paint' and 'Second Self,' which were told from intimate first-person viewpoints. Instead, 'Family Friends' presents an ensemble narrative centered on four friends and their families, who have gathered in France every summer for two decades. The story explores themes of marriage, funeral preparations, teenage romance, and a lurking secret that threatens their bonds. Ashby reflects on topics such as parenthood, complex characters, and the intricacies of writing an ensemble cast. She emphasizes the psychological presence of work in the characters' lives, even while on holiday. Additionally, she examines moral ambiguity in relationships involving age and consent, steering clear of definitive moral judgments. The author penned this novel while navigating her journey to conceive and during her pregnancy, which shaped her depiction of children and family interactions. Key characters include Will, who faces job loss, Lydia from an affluent background, and Issy, a rebellious teen who shakes up the group. AnOther Magazine featured Ashby's conversation with Katie Tobin on its website.