"complex contemporary drama"

Four years ago Sabine Knoll's husband Victor died in an avalanche. Though she mourned her loss as she loved Victor deeply, she has moved on for the sake of their three preadolescent children. However, she is shocked when Victor's much younger brother Joe arrives at her Oro, Colorado home. She never knew he existed until now as Victor never mentioned him.

Joe introduces himself to Sabine, but she assumes he was Victor's former partner; he explains he was his partner and his sibling. As they become acquainted, they fall in love, but one barrier remains between them as Joe reciprocates her feelings. She fears for his life whenever he climbs mountain, which is a passion for him. Joe feels trapped because he does not want to give up the woman he loves nor the pastime he cherishes, but Sabine gives him little choice as she still remembers how her late spouse, his brother, died.

A FAMILY RESEMBLANCE is a complex contemporary drama starring two likable individuals with a major difference on the safety of mountain climbing that threatens to end their relationship. The three young children (oldest is nine) add matchmaking and "un-matchmaking" depth though they seem a bit too precocious. The mountain climbing scenes are breathless and vividly brisk, but this fine story line belongs to the dilemma that seems inevitable leading to a split between Sabine and Joe.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 25, 2006