Dinner with the Schnabels

Simon Larson is depressed and blames his family's current situation on himself. Before the COVID-19 pandemic he was a successful architect with his own business, his family lived in a fancy house, they had two expensive cars and the children went to private schools. After he became bankrupt all this was lost and they now rented a two bedroom flat, did not have a car and the children go to the local school. Simon did not have a job and his wife, Tansy works full-time to support the family. Simon has no energy and no friends. Things have to change.

Dinner with the Schnabels by Toni Jordan is a usually amusing story about complicated family relationships. The Larsens live in a Melbourne suburb and Tansy's extended family, the Schnabels, live close by. Simon's father-in-law died during the pandemic and his mother-in-law decides to organise a gathering for family and friends to remember him once restrictions are reduced. This is depite Gloria and David divorcing many years ago and David marrying again and having another daughter who meets her extended family for the first time when comes to Melbourne for the memorial ceremony.

A friend offers to allow the family to hold the service in his back yard but first it must have a makeover and Simon has one week to do it. Of course, other family matters intervene as Simon struggles to meet the deadline. The experience of that week, however, allows Simon to re-evaluate his life and to plan for a happier future for himself and his family.