Dean, Nellie, and their nine-year-old son Wilson are a typical family living in Oakleigh, North Carolina. But in Cold War-era America, times are not typical. Political tensions are at its height, with Americans fearing Communism and impending terror at every turn. And Dean’s job at the atomic plant means he is directly involved in the development of nuclear warfare. What should serve as a respectable source of income for his family turns into much more than he anticipated when Nellie joins a women-led protest and Wilson becomes radicalized against communists. Atomic Family by Ciera Horton McElroy explores one family’s experience as tensions rise around them until one moment changes everything forever. 

Dean is a scientist who studies soil and how radiation and nuclear waste affect the environment. However, he eventually discovers that the long-term effects of what they’re doing are catastrophic. He struggles with the moral dilemma he faces. How would he live with himself if he doesn’t bring it to the attention of those in charge? What would happen if he never sounds the alarm? 

On the other hand, Dean and Nellie’s marriage is seemingly less than ideal. Nellie has no idea what Dean does at his job all day, seeing as he is sworn to secrecy with his security clearance. That, and she increasingly grows bored with the housewife lifestyle. She becomes dissatisfied with his lack of attentiveness and appreciation for her, and soon feels less obligated to fill that cookie-cutter role. Fellow housewives convince her to join a protest against the development of the nuclear bomb. Then she spends the rest of her day “breaking the rules” as her own form of rebellion. But ironically, the timing of her spontaneous adventure couldn’t be worse. When tragedy strikes, she can’t be reached, and Dean is the one left in the dark. 

Then there’s volunteer watchdog Wilson. Instead of climbing on trees and playing with toys, he spends his free time in his family’s bomb shelter, scouting possible communists and monitoring the skies for war planes ready to bomb his town. He sees his work as patriotic, but Dean can’t help but worry about his son’s obsession and even blame himself for exposing him to the “grown up” parts of the world. And then one moment changes everything, bringing some of Dean’s worst fears to light. 

McElroy’s writing style in Atomic Family was a pleasant surprise. She brings one family’s experience to the forefront, highlighting how the country’s wartime narrative and paranoia can trickle down and affect one family unit. Her writing style adds that relatability – a softness and sympathy in a world with bomb builders and their protesting wives exist alongside each other, and the uncertainty of surviving another day. 

That being said, the pace of Atomic Family is slow. While each chapter is from a different person’s POV, McElroy spends a lot of time focused on characters reflecting on memories and current struggles. Some of these internal monologues felt redundant, which was distracting at times. And because the entire story takes place over one single day, the book is short. McElroy intended this, but I couldn’t help but want more depth to the story. For example, I would have loved to get more background about the housewives organizing to protest the government. But that’s just me.

Despite the slow pace and circuitous story-telling, Atomic Family hit me in the feels. I closed the book feeling sad and heartbroken. McElroy tugs at readers’ heartstrings – introducing tragedy, providing some hope, then sending us on the finale of the emotional rollercoaster. Readers who love this kind of torture will definitely get into this one. And fans of historical fiction will enjoy something different that this intimate portrayal offers. 

Ciera Horton McElroy joins The Nerd Cantina Show podcast for a Cantina Conversation to talk about the book. She discusses her inspirations for the story and what she hopes readers get out of it. Keep an ear out for the interview in an upcoming episode and preorder Atomic Family, which is available February 28.