OverviewDinner at the Homesick Restaurant intricately weaves the tale of the Tull family from Baltimore, Maryland, through a series of perspectives: that of the matriarch, Pearl, followed by her children Cody, Ezra, and Jennifer. The novel explores the dynamics of family relationships, underscored by the different memories and viewpoints of each character. The narrative structure allows readers to experience events multiple times through varied lenses, offering a nuanced understanding of this complex family.

Part I: Pearl's Reflections

The novel commences with "Something You Should Know," a chapter where Pearl Tull lies on her deathbed, contemplating her past in a non-linear fashion. Sitting beside her is Ezra, her devoted son, as Pearl's thoughts wander to key moments in her life. Her recollections start with the near loss of her firstborn, Cody, which led her to expand her family. Pearl drifts further back to her memories of meeting and marrying Beck Tull, a traveling salesman, when she was on the brink of spinsterhood at thirty. The marriage deviated from her expectations, as Beck's constant relocations prevented the family from forming deep-rooted connections. Eventually, Beck abandons them in Baltimore, leaving Pearl to navigate life as a single mother to children aged fourteen, eleven, and nine. To uphold the facade of normalcy, she deceives her children and social circle into believing Beck is merely away on business. A poignant memory surfaces of a time when Beck taught Cody archery, resulting in Cody accidentally injuring Pearl, which nearly led to her demise due to an allergic reaction.

Throughout her reminiscences, Pearl occasionally returns to the present, pondering her mortality and the aftermath of her passing, including Beck's hypothetical reaction to her funeral invitation. She is plagued by doubts, questioning whether her children harbor resentment toward her and suspecting inherent flaws in each of them. The chapter closes ambiguously as Pearl drifts away, leaving readers uncertain whether it signifies sleep or death.

Part II: The Family's Journey

The subsequent chapters focus on the adult lives of Pearl's children, each responsible for their own narrative. Cody's tale harkens back to the infamous incident where he mistakenly shot Pearl, setting the stage for his lifelong rivalry with Ezra. This competitiveness manifests in mischievous schemes designed to undermine Ezra, who remains blissfully oblivious to Cody's antics. Despite this, Cody often steps up to shield his siblings from Pearl's outbursts. As he matures, Cody's jealousy endures. This envy culminates in his pursuit and marriage to Ruth Spivey, originally betrothed to Ezra. Even with Ruth and their son Luke, Cody's insecurity drives him to distance his family from Baltimore, maintaining minimal contact with his past.

Jenny's story picks up as she prepares to be the last child at home with Cody in college and Ezra drafted. Despite Pearl's newfound gentleness, Jenny remains wary of potential abuse. She embarks on her collegiate journey, where she meets Harley Barnes, a brilliant geneticist she marries as she begins medical school. Their marriage dissolves, and Jenny returns to Baltimore, eventually remarrying an artist who leaves before the birth of their daughter Becky. Jenny's final marriage is to a man with six children, offering her a complex family life as a pediatrician.

Ezra's narrative orbits around his culinary career at Scarlatti's Restaurant, which he inherits and renames The Homesick Restaurant. The establishment becomes a haven for nostalgic meals, reminiscent of home-cooked comforts. Ezra's attempts to convene family dinners continually falter, often disrupted by emotional outbursts. After losing Ruth to Cody, Ezra remains unmarried, dedicated to caring for Pearl as her health declines. He reads to Pearl from her diaries, seeking a connection she seems to...