Morgan Dick’s debut novel “Favorite Daughter” is a riveting exploration of family dysfunction, addiction, and the possibility of redemption that manages to be both darkly humorous and deeply moving. With razor-sharp prose and unflinching honesty, Dick introduces us to half-sisters Mickey and Arlo, two women who’ve never met but are unwittingly thrown together by their problematic father’s manipulative final wish.
The novel expertly navigates themes of abandonment, addiction, and the complex ways we define ourselves through our relationships with others. Dick’s authentic character work and nuanced understanding of human psychology make “Favorite Daughter” a standout debut that resonates long after the final page.
Plot That Hooks and Doesn’t Let Go
The premise is deliciously twisted: Mickey, a kindergarten teacher with a drinking problem, discovers her estranged father has left her over five million dollars—with one catch. She must complete seven therapy sessions before receiving the inheritance. Unknown to her, the therapist her father has arranged is actually her half-sister Arlo, a psychologist who was devoted to their father and is devastated to learn she’s been cut out of his will.
As Mickey reluctantly attends therapy with Arlo, neither aware of their connection, tensions build toward an inevitable collision. When the truth finally explodes at their father’s headstone unveiling ceremony, both women are forced to confront painful truths about themselves and their shared history.
What makes the novel particularly compelling is Dick’s refusal to provide easy answers. Both sisters are deeply flawed, yet sympathetic. Mickey’s alcoholism and self-destructive tendencies are balanced by her genuine love for her kindergarten students and her growing awareness of her own problems. Arlo’s seemingly perfect life masks her codependency and inability to form meaningful connections outside her relationship with her father.
Characters That Feel Painfully Real
The strength of “Favorite Daughter” by Morgan Dick lies in its character work. Dick has created protagonists who are:
Authentically flawed: Both Mickey and Arlo make terrible decisions throughout the novel, yet remain sympathetic because their motivations are utterly believable
Psychologically complex: Their behaviors, from Mickey’s drinking to Arlo’s manipulation, stem from genuine trauma responses
Capable of growth: Despite their flaws, both characters demonstrate the capacity to change
The supporting cast is equally well-drawn. Tom Samson, the awkward lawyer who connects with both sisters; Daria, Mickey’s no-nonsense neighbor; Chris and his nephew Ian, who provide Mickey with glimpses of connection; and each sister’s mother, representing different responses to the same toxic man—all add richness to the narrative.
Mickey and Arlo’s father, Adam Kowalski, looms large over the story despite being dead when it begins. Dick skillfully reveals his complex character through his daughters’ memories and interactions with others who knew him. He emerges as charismatic yet deeply damaging—loving yet unreliable, warm yet selfish—a fully realized character whose impact continues long after his death.
Writing Style That Cuts to the Bone
Morgan Dick’s prose is unembellished yet striking, with a directness that serves the story beautifully. Her background in short fiction is evident in her economic use of language and ability to convey complex emotions in simple, precise terms. Consider this observation from Mickey:
“People are simple. Adults act in their own self-interest. We might huddle together for warmth sometimes, but when hunger strikes, we’ll fight to the death over a—a deer carcass or whatever.”
Dick has a particular talent for revealing character through dialogue. The sisters’ contrasting speech patterns—Mickey’s blunt, often profane directness versus Arlo’s careful, therapist-trained responses—tell us everything about how differently they’ve processed their shared trauma.
The novel alternates between Mickey and Arlo’s perspectives, allowing readers to witness events from both sides. This structure creates dramatic irony as we see each sister’s misinterpretations of the other’s motivations, building tension until their inevitable confrontation.
Strengths That Make This Debut Shine
Unflinching portrayal of addiction: Dick portrays Mickey’s alcoholism with brutal honesty, avoiding both glamorization and oversimplification
Sharp humor: Despite the heavy subject matter, the novel contains moments of genuine humor that prevent it from becoming overwhelmingly bleak
Psychological insight: Dick’s understanding of trauma responses, addiction cycles, and family dynamics rings absolutely true
Balanced perspective: Neither sister is positioned as entirely right or wrong, allowing readers to empathize with both
Realistic hope: The novel offers redemption without sugary sentimentality
Areas That Could Be Stronger
While “Favorite Daughter” by Morgan Dick is an impressive debut, it’s not without flaws:
Pacing issues: The middle section occasionally drags, with some repeated patterns in Mickey and Arlo’s interactions
Secondary characters: A few supporting characters, particularly Arlo’s boss Punam, feel somewhat underdeveloped
Coincidences: The plot relies on a few too many unlikely coincidences, particularly Tom Samson’s connections to both sisters
Ending: While emotionally satisfying, the resolution comes somewhat abruptly after the intense climax
Themes That Resonate
The novel explores several interconnected themes with depth and nuance:
The Legacy of Parental Damage
Both Mickey and Arlo have been shaped by their father in profound ways—Mickey by his abandonment, Arlo by his unhealthy attachments. Dick examines how parental relationships form the template for all future connections, for better or worse. As Mickey realizes:
“He’s always been there in the back of my head, guiding my decisions, if that makes sense. Like, in an opposite way. He’s always been there telling me what not to do.”
The Possibility of Change
At its heart, “Favorite Daughter” by Morgan Dick is about whether people can truly change. Dick avoids easy answers while ultimately suggesting that meaningful transformation is possible, though never guaranteed or simple. This question underlies both sisters’ journeys and provides the emotional core of the novel.
The Nature of Addiction
Dick portrays addiction not as a moral failing but as a complex disease with psychological, social, and biological dimensions. Mickey’s struggles are depicted with compassion and honesty, including her repeated attempts to quit and the shame cycle that perpetuates her drinking.
Final Verdict
“Favorite Daughter” is a remarkable debut that marks Morgan Dick as a writer to watch. Despite minor flaws, the novel’s psychological insight, complex characters, and unflinching honesty elevate it above typical family dramas. It’s a book that respects readers’ intelligence while delivering an emotionally satisfying story.
The novel will appeal to fans of:
Dysfunctional family narratives like Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s “Fleishman Is in Trouble”
Complex sister relationships as in Brit Bennett’s “The Vanishing Half”
Addiction narratives such as Leslie Jamison’s “The Recovering”
Dark humor in the vein of Ottessa Moshfegh’s work
For a debut novel, “Favorite Daughter” by Morgan Dick demonstrates remarkable assurance and emotional intelligence. Morgan Dick has created a story that acknowledges the lasting damage of childhood trauma while offering a measured hope for healing and connection. The novel’s epilogue, set five weeks after the climactic confrontation, strikes just the right note—cautiously optimistic without erasing the complicated reality of recovery and reconciliation.
As Mickey and Arlo begin to forge a tentative relationship, Dick reminds us that healing is neither quick nor complete, but connection remains possible even after devastating harm. It’s this hard-won wisdom that makes “Favorite Daughter” not just an engaging read, but a meaningful one.