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There are long, arcane chapters on the Big Guy’s political interactions and his friendships that range from lunatic comedy to acute, dismaying observation. But there is only so much one can say about a man who reminds one of his friends of Fred Flintstone; it is the Big Guy’s wife, Charlotte, and his daughter Meghan who deliver wider interest. They are open to change.

Homes won my heart with Music For Torching, that disturbing tale of a bored couple who burn down their house. Every thought was a case of knives. She disturbs again in the portraits of Charlotte and Meghan. Neither is what you expect. Charlotte, a committed non-eater, is given the best lines and Meghan, about to graduate from her exclusive boarding school, is individual. Although she is, certainly, on some sort of elusive spectrum. Maybe it’s The Rich Girl’s spectrum? (She does have a fantastic horse in the stables at school.) But she’s more than this, she’s more than her immediate parents, she’s empathetic and thoughtful.

Meghan will never be an Ivanka T, although she could be a Meghan M. Her father, with his canny eye, has great plans for her future. But, really, what would an old white guy know about the interior life of an observant 18-year-old? Homes writes contemporary history that runs a parallel derangement to our real derangement. It is exhilarating writing.

The Unfolding by A.M. Homes is published by Granta, $39.99.