This Lullaby Summary & Key Insights

Sarah Dessen's "This Lullaby" explores themes of family secrets, identity, and the enduring power of love amidst loss and uncertainty. The narrative revolves around Remy, a young woman grappling with the recent death of her grandmother, Calla. Calla’s death triggers a cascade of revelations that shatter Remy’s perception of her own family and her place within it.

Remy's family, while seemingly functional on the surface, harbors deep-seated secrets. Her mother, Beth, is a successful author seemingly consumed by her work, a coping mechanism for a past trauma she’s never fully addressed. Remy's father, a perpetually absent figure, offers little emotional support. The death of Calla exposes a long-hidden family history involving a devastating secret surrounding Beth's own mother, the enigmatic and mysterious Mimi. This secret, once revealed, forces Remy to confront a legacy of emotional repression and abandonment.

Central to the unraveling is the discovery of a mysterious lullaby Calla used to sing, a tune with a poignant history connected to Mimi. The lullaby serves as a powerful symbol of family connection, loss, and the cyclical nature of inherited trauma. Remy’s quest to understand the lullaby's significance becomes a journey of self-discovery, pushing her to confront her own anxieties and insecurities about her identity and her future.

Throughout her journey, Remy finds support in unexpected places. She forms a close bond with Miles, a charming and sensitive young man she meets while working at a local bakery. Miles, too, carries his own emotional baggage and experiences, offering Remy a safe space to share her anxieties and vulnerabilities. Their relationship is slow-burning and deeply affecting, representing a healthy and supportive alternative to the dysfunctional relationships she’s witnessed in her family.

Another significant character is Owen, a childhood friend who re-enters Remy's life, representing a sense of familiarity and comfort. However, his presence also highlights Remy's reluctance to fully let go of the past and fully embrace her new reality. The interactions with Miles and Owen illuminate Remy's growth and evolution throughout the novel.

The overarching theme is the intricate and complex nature of family relationships, highlighting the importance of communication, forgiveness, and understanding. "This Lullaby" emphasizes that the impact of past traumas can extend through generations, shaping individual identities and influencing present relationships. Through confronting her family’s secrets, Remy ultimately finds healing and learns to reconcile with her past, forging a stronger sense of self and paving the way for a healthier future. Ultimately, it is a story about acceptance, forgiveness, and the enduring strength found in connecting with one’s past to shape a more fulfilling future.