Political novel tied into a Family

This novel illustrates the political war going on in out country right now. From the distrust, issues of race, and understanding what politicians are actually fighting for Zadie Smith has tied in to the Family War discussed in On Beauty. This novel embraces the political struggle between conservatives and liberals and the voice of the middle trying to be heard. Howard Belsey, a professor stuck in his ways, and not understanding how to give up a family feud is the mirror for the liberals in this book. Monty Kipp, who supposedly has the perfect house and family resembles the conservatives. Howard and his the rest of Belsey family from the beginning of the book are described as a bit crazy and not as organized. Howard and his wife are also an interracial couple with children that are all pursuing very different life paths. This description tends to mimic the stereotype that usually liberals have. The Kipp family on the other side are very put together and as perfect as they come, from a beautiful wife to the beautiful children Monty Kipp has it all which also ties in with the typical stereotype of conservatives. The feud going on between the two of unnecessary reasons illustrates the struggle going on in the political world right now. Both leaders in these political sides scream the same ideas and issues with a few differences yet will never accept it or are willing to agree to that matter. Yet the rest of these two parties seem the similarities between the two and are willing to learn to compromise and find a solution that fits them both which is illustrated between the two wives. This novel embraces the idea of finding a middle ground or in this case the middle political group instead of feuding on extreme sides about stuff that in the end does not even matter.