The Brothers K – David James Duncan
Whenever a novel is described as “ambitious” or “sprawling,” I approach it with cautious optimism. Such descriptors can signal either a masterpiece or an overhyped mess. David James Duncan’s “The Brothers K” undeniably earns those adjectives, yet I found myself vacillating between engagement and frustration throughout its nearly 700 pages of family, faith and baseball.
Narrated by Kincaid (Kade), the youngest of six children, the novel chronicles the lives of the Chance family as they navigate personal struggles and transformations. Despite Duncan’s sharp writing and occasional humor, the story’s excessive theological discussions and scattered plotlines made it difficult for me to fully embrace what is, by many accounts, a beloved book.
At its core, “The Brothers K” explores how a family redefines itself in changing times.
Hugh, the father, is a former minor-league baseball player whose career was cut short by an industrial accident. Hardworking and stoic, he tries to make the best of life’s disappointments.
His wife, Laura, is a devout and increasingly zealous Seventh-Day Adventist, creating tension between religion and reality that deeply affects each family member. Religion plays a central role, and while thematically relevant, it often feels overbearing – particularly for readers uninterested in this topic.
Kincaid is a witty narrator, delivering observations with insight that feel authentic to the era. However, as the storyteller, Kade frustratingly reveals little about himself, focusing instead on his parents and brothers.
His reflections on Hugh’s journey, which includes the highs and lows of coaching and pitching in the minor leagues, are among the most poignant moments of the novel and my personal favorite. Hugh’s arc is a triumph, capturing the bittersweet pursuit of a dream long out of reach.
The Chance brothers’ individual stories vary in impact.
Irwin’s tragic descent into madness after being drafted into the Vietnam War is gut-wrenching and one of the novel’s most memorable subplots. By contrast, Everett’s countercultural escapades and Peter’s spiritual journey in India often feel tedious or disconnected, as if they belong to entirely different books. Meanwhile, the twin sisters barely register, relegated to the role of afterthoughts.
Duncan’s descriptive and often humorous prose shines when portraying the quirks of family life. Lines like “P.O.W.s — prisoners of worship” provide much-needed levity, balancing the narrative’s weightier themes. However, the novel’s vignette-style structure undermines its cohesion. Each chapter reads like a standalone story, and with such a large cast, the lack of focus dilutes the emotional intimacy the book attempts to achieve.
The theological debates that dominate much of the novel grow repetitive. While Irwin’s storyline uses faith to effectively grapple with morality and real-world consequences, other discussions — about who is more honorable, smarter or devout — become tiresome. The novel’s aspirations, while admirable, ultimately results in a jumble of disconnected ideas and characters that fail to form a cohesive whole.
Narrator Robertson Dean delivers a soothing but uninspired audiobook performance. His lack of character distinction makes it difficult to follow the Chance brothers, who are close in age and experience. While his delivery occasionally sparks during moments of heightened emotion, like Irwin’s breakdown or Hugh’s triumphs, it often feels flat and indistinct.
For all its flaws, “The Brothers K” offers a reminder of the bonds that hold families together despite their differences. The Chance family, though flawed and frequently at odds, is united by love and loyalty — a timely message about finding the good in one another.
While fans of family sagas or Russian literature may appreciate Duncan’s ambition, those uninterested in Christian themes or fragmented narratives may find this a challenging read. For me, “The Brothers K” was middling — a novel with strong foundations undermined by its unwieldy scope.
Rating (story): 3/5 stars
Rating (narration): 3/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (personal library)
Dates read: November 14 – December 11, 2024
Multi-tasking: Not recommended. The amount of characters in this novel requires a fair amount of concentration. It’s disappointing, too, because the long chapters require marathon listening sessions to fully immerse yourself into the story.
