"We Were the Mulvaneys" is a poignant novel by Joyce Carol Oates that explores the disintegration of an idyllic family in a small town. The story is centered around the Mulvaney family, particularly their three children—Judith, Marianne, and Patrick. Once a close-knit family, their lives begin to unravel following a traumatic incident that affects their standing in the community and alters their relationships with one another. The novel delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the impact of societal norms on personal identity.
The narrative is set against the backdrop of the rural American landscape, painting a vivid picture of both the family's life and their gradual fall from grace. As the Mulvaneys face ostracism and personal turmoil, the story examines how each family member copes with the fallout. Through the eyes of Judith, Marianne, and Patrick, Oates captures the complexities of sibling relationships and the emotional scars that result from their shared trauma.