This novel takes place five years after the events in Anywhere But Here. Mayan, the daughter in the earlier novel,(yes her name was changed) is now a medical student in her late twenties living an unexciting, life in New York City.Mayan becomes obsessed with the search for her father, who abandoned the family. She spends all her savings on the services of a sleazy detective who never gets her close to her goal; she lets her studies, her friendships, and even her health fall by the way-side seemingly without realizing it. Simpson offers a wrenching and provocative portrait of a truly dysfunctional family, her writing is straightforward and often beautifully poetic.
I found myself caught up in Mayan's whirlpool of unresolved feelings for both parents. She knows she has "issues" but cannot manage get past them. As she is only 28 at the time of this writing, it is not difficult to understand her depression, anger and feeling of loss and abandonment.
I highly recommend The Lost Father . ( )