The Gin Closet

The Gin Closet (2010) by Leslie Jamison. The Gin Closet is told from two points of view: the niece, Stella, and the aunt, Tilly. Stella has journeyed from New York City, where she has been living, to the dusty and hot Nevada desert, where Tilly has ended up, alcoholic and living in a trailer park. Stella had not even known she had an aunt, and had felt compelled to go visit her and figure out what's what. She and Tilly end up moving to San Francisco together, where Tilly's son Abe lives. Strangely, Stella and Abe end up forming an incestuous relationship about which neither feels any shame. This is a rather eccentric little novel, and I rather enjoyed reading it. It is entertainment only, not great literature. Grade: B-