The story begins with two families: the Belseys and the Kippsies. The Belseys live in Massachusetts around forty minutes from Boston, while the Kippsies live in the United Kingdom, about forty minutes from London. 

Howard Belsey, a white man from the United Kingdom, married Kiki, a black woman born and raised in Florida. Together they have three children: Jerome, Zora, and Levi. The story opens with emails sent from Jerome to his father Howard. Jerome is currently living with the Kippsies at their estate in the UK. Howard does not approve of this newfound relationship with the Kippsies as Howard and Monty (short for Montague) Kipps have had a long-lasting feud originating partly from their opposing spiritual beliefs. The Belsey’s have grown up as atheists while the Kippsies are devout Christians who pour their beliefs onto Jerome. Jerome accepts Christianity – which upsets Howard. 

At first, I found the beginning of the story – with emails between Jerome and his father – to be rather confusing. But after completing the book, I find the beginning to be rather smart in setting the plot with the two families: who will continue to clash with one another as the story goes on. 

To elaborate on how the families are continually related to each other, I should start by talking about how the Kippsies move from their estate in the UK to a new home, located in the same neighborhood that the Belseys live in during the summer. Howard works as a professor at Wellington University, a liberal arts college located not too far from their home. He teaches art history, particularly the works of Rembrant. Monty is also a professor, and begins working at Wellington since he now resides in the same neighborhood as the Belsey’s. Zora is beginning her sophomore year as a commuter to the University. Vee, slightly younger than Zora, is planning to attend Wellington as a Freshman. This establishes two separate conflicts that will last throughout the remainder of the story. There is a conflict between Howard and Monty over their opposing views both in and out of the classroom. On the other hand, Zora and Vee disagree over many other things. My favorite example is Carl Thomas, a love interest for both Zara and Vee.  

I find On Beauty to be a very well-written novel. Although the story is over 400 pages, making it a longer read, each page offers new conflicts and storylines that keep the reader engaged throughout the entirety of the story.