How to Read Claire Lombardo: The Recommended Path
Claire Lombardo is a master of the multi-generational family epic. Because she writes standalone contemporary fiction, there is no strict continuity or narrative chronological order linking her books. You can read them in any order you choose without losing any plot points or character context. However, for the best immersion into her signature style, we recommend starting with her debut novel:
- The Most Fun We Ever Had (2019): Start here to experience Lombardo's talent for juggling multiple perspectives and massive timelines. It is her most famous work, centering on a large Chicago family.
- Same As It Ever Was (2024): Read this second. It is a more intimate, single-narrator study of motherhood, aging, and past temptations, showcasing how her writing has evolved into a deeply introspective style.
Claire Lombardo Books in Publication Order
For readers who prefer to follow an author's career as it unfolded, here is the chronological list of her novels by publication date:
- The Most Fun We Ever Had (July 2019)
- Same As It Ever Was (June 2024)
Short Fiction and Early Works
Before launching her bestselling novels, Claire Lombardo honed her craft by publishing short stories in various literary magazines. While these have not been collected into a standalone book, they offer a wonderful look into her early development as a writer. Notable publications include:
- "I Only Want to Talk About the Nice Things" (October 2015): Published by Little Fiction, this acclaimed short story about a divorced couple navigating lingering feelings on the eve of their daughter's wedding hit #1 on Longform’s 2015 fiction list and was selected for the 2016 "Best of the Net."
- Other Short Stories: Lombardo has also published short fiction in journals and magazines such as Playboy, Barrelhouse Magazine, Atticus Review, Luna Luna Magazine, Oyez Review, Burrow Press Review, and the anthology Modern Shorts.
What to Know Before You Start
Lombardo's storytelling has several distinct features that readers should keep in mind before diving in:
1. Non-Linear Timelines
Both of Lombardo's novels rely heavily on a non-linear narrative structure. Instead of moving in a straight chronological line, the plots constantly jump back and forth across decades. In The Most Fun We Ever Had, the timeline spans from the 1970s to the 2010s. In Same As It Ever Was, the narrative shifts between the protagonist's chaotic early years of motherhood and her present life as a 57-year-old librarian. If you struggle with jumping timelines, pay close attention to the chapter headings, which usually indicate the year.
2. High Character Detail, Low High-Concept Plot
Do not expect fast-paced, high-stakes thriller plots in Lombardo's work. Her novels are character studies that find their drama in the small, messy interactions of daily life: sibling rivalries, hidden resentments, marital compromise, and the quiet weight of long-held secrets. The pace is deliberate, allowing the reader to live alongside the characters over hundreds of pages.
3. Midwestern Roots
Lombardo's upbringing in Oak Park, Illinois, shines through in her settings. Both of her novels are deeply anchored in the Chicago area and the broader Midwest, utilizing the geography, culture, and seasons to ground her stories in a vivid sense of place.
Comparing the Novels: Sorenson Family vs. Julia Ames
If you are trying to decide which book to pick up first, it helps to understand how they differ in scope and tone:
The Most Fun We Ever Had (2019)
This sprawling, 500+ page debut follows the Sorenson family. Marilyn and David have a legendary, passionately loving marriage that sets an almost impossibly high bar for their four adult daughters: Wendy (a wealthy, hard-drinking widow), Violet (a stay-at-home mother grappling with her past), Liza (an academic dealing with an unexpected pregnancy), and Grace (the youngest, who is living a lie). When a son Violet gave up for adoption fifteen years ago suddenly reappears, the family's carefully constructed dynamics begin to unravel. It is a story about how love can be both a sanctuary and a burden.
Same As It Ever Was (2024)
While her debut felt like a classic ensemble drama, Lombardo's second novel is a highly focused character study. It follows Julia Ames, a librarian whose life is upended when her adult son announces he is starting a family, her daughter prepares to leave for college, and an old, complicated figure from her past unexpectedly reenters her life. The novel dives deep into the ambivalent feelings of motherhood, the challenges of maintaining a long-term marriage, and the hard work of self-forgiveness.
The Status of the Television Adaptation
Shortly after the release of The Most Fun We Ever Had, it was announced that Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine and HBO were developing a television series based on the book. Film icons Amy Adams and Laura Dern were attached as executive producers, with Claire Lombardo set to co-write the script alongside Anya Epstein. While the project remains in development, there have been no recent production updates or release dates confirmed. Fans of the book will have to wait a bit longer to see the Sorenson family come to life on screen.