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“Olympus, Texas�� by Stacey Swann is akin to a Greek tragedy with overt references to Greek mythology. The story includes the fury of the gods; tricking gods with detrimental results; cheating gods; angry gods; vengeful gods; and even twins. The stage is a small town in Texas, Olympus, population 2000. The actors in the tragedy are a family, the Briscoe family, and while the family churns it’s play, the people of the town see it all, the Briscoe family supplying fodder for the town munitions.

The story opens when March returns home after a two-year self-imposed banishment after bedding his brother’s wife. The brother, Hap, takes a sledgehammer to his truck with an audience of the family and a veterinarian. The family dynamics is confusing at first, with the father, Peter, possessing three children with his wife, June, and twins Artie and Arlo who are a result of an affair. There is another boy out there, but he doesn’t come into play much in the story. June has a tender spot in her heart for the twins, as their mother hasn’t always been emotionally well. June has allowed the twins to be part of her family, understanding the need for family and stability.

Back to the story, although March returns, his mother has not forgiven him, nor his brother. March hangs with the twins initially, as he decides what he wants to do.

The twins have a very close relationship, but that is about to change. Arlo is a musician and has been on the road for a long time. While he was gone, Artie (the sister) began a relationship with a man who she knows Arlo will not like. So much subterfuge in the first 50 pages!

The story takes place in six days. A lot occurs in those six days. There are a few chapters that explain certain character’s wrath, anger, lust etc. They provide a backdrop to the family drama.

Author Stacey Swann is a gifted writer. Those six days tell a complex and compelling story of a family with strong members. Although the whole town knows everything that goes on, this family provides an exceptional amount of excitement. There is a hunting accident, more than one marriage in transition, bar fights, fights in general, and a very interesting funeral. Swann writes authentically and beautifully. The characters are richly flawed and beautifully complex. Ambivalence runs deep. The characters are all difficult to like, even June who has shown nothing but kindness to her husband’s extramarital affair children. In those six days, Swann is able to show the ugliness that we all possess or are capable of.

I’m a huge fan of domestic fiction and family saga dramas. This one will stick with me because it highlights the yin and yang in humanity.