Try to Remember

Timely and trenchant, Kotker's (Bodies in Motion) examination of family dynamics in an era of confrontational blame is a gripping read. The Fairchilds are a seemingly perfect contemporary American family, with doting parents in Philadelphia and two bright but somewhat pampered adult daughters, dramatic Phoebe and analytical Bess, pursuing careers in New York. After a painful breakup with a boyfriend, depressed Phoebe is encouraged into therapy by her roommate. Her well-intentioned therapist, a young intern, is convinced by her supervisor that Phoebe's symptoms indicate prototypical childhood sexual abuse syndrome, and she coaxes Phoebe into recollections of molestation. When Phoebe confronts her parents with this accusation, hazy memories and self-doubt lead to anguish all around. The rest of the family finds that they are no match for credulous Phoebe's zeal in exposing the atrocities that no one but she believes can have happened. Kotker is adept in portraying family relationships, and especially the tensions between the generations. But her skeptical treatment of Recovered Memory Syndrome sometimes approaches psychological melodrama. (Sept.)