My rating: 3 of 5 stars
NetGalley
May 25, 2020
Pronghorn Press
Fiction, arc
287 pages
Rec’d 4/29/20
5/30/20-6/7/20
3-1/2 stars
I received a complimentary digital copy of this arc book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
I have mixed emotions after reading this book. It took me in many directions with many themes. I wanted to give it 4 stars but the story felt disjointed and addressed several themes which never felt complete. There were several gaps where the story would advance several years many the book seem longer.
The setting is White Rock, NC in the 1950’s with racial segregation and affluent white entitlement prevailed. Rowan Hart was born into a prominent family in White Rock with privilege and dreams of a university education. It isn’t long before the failures of Rowan’s father are unveiled leaving him desperate and humiliated. After Rowan’s father commits suicide, he and his mother Rita are left destitute and forced to move into a shack outside of town.
Rita’s brother, Hugh, was his father’s business partner for many years and felt obliged to maintain financial support to his sister and nephew. Everyone in the story seems to have their own secrets and intentions for their behavior. Uncle Hugh isn’t as generous as he would like his family to believe. The town relishes only in the gossip which supports the best scenario above the truth.
Life changes dramatically for Rowan Hart when one day 11 year old Eden Whitney shows up with suitcase in hand at the door. The feisty child had been called to testify in court that she witnessed her Uncle Franklin shoot her father. Her mother Coman is appalled as is the rest of the town calling the child a liar by bringing such disgrace upon her family.
The Hart household is held firmly together by the determination of the long time housekeeper, Adeline. With Rita depressed and bedridden, Rowan starts working at a Mr Sawyer’s tobacco field where he meets Sammy. Rowan and Sammy develop an awkward friendship due to their racial differences. Rowan works hard over the years to regain the reputation and economic status his family once had awakening him to the prejudices that surround it.
The story becomes more complicated as it travels down the road jumping ahead to Rowan marrying Jewell and having children. The history of Eden and her future life choices as well as Sammy. In a small town it seems that history of the community are entangled which only becomes more complicated as the years go on.
I enjoyed the story but about half way through I became confused as to the direction in which the story was leading. It felt like it started to fray around the edges and lacked the structure to fully bring it back into focus. The themes were strong and relevant addressing barriers and misconceptions of racial and socioeconomic discrimination which fall on all people.
I have mixed emotions after reading this book. It took me in many directions with many themes. I wanted to give it 4 stars but the story felt disjointed and addressed several themes which never felt complete. There were several gaps where the story would advance several years many the book seem longer.
The setting is White Rock, NC in the 1950’s with racial segregation and affluent white entitlement prevailed. Rowan Hart was born into a prominent family in White Rock with privilege and dreams of a university education. It isn’t long before the failures of Rowan’s father are unveiled leaving him desperate and humiliated. After Rowan’s father commits suicide, he and his mother Rita are left destitute and forced to move into a shack outside of town.
Rita’s brother, Hugh, was his father’s business partner for many years and felt obliged to maintain financial support to his sister and nephew. Everyone in the story seems to have their own secrets and intentions for their behavior. Uncle Hugh isn’t as generous as he would like his family to believe. The town relishes only in the gossip which supports the best scenario above the truth.
Life changes dramatically for Rowan Hart when one day 11 year old Eden Whitney shows up with suitcase in hand at the door. The feisty child had been called to testify in court that she witnessed her Uncle Franklin shoot her father. Her mother Coman is appalled as is the rest of the town calling the child a liar by bringing such disgrace upon her family.
The Hart household is held firmly together by the determination of the long time housekeeper, Adeline. With Rita depressed and bedridden, Rowan starts working at a Mr Sawyer’s tobacco field where he meets Sammy. Rowan and Sammy develop an awkward friendship due to their racial differences. Rowan works hard over the years to regain the reputation and economic status his family once had awakening him to the prejudices that surround it.
The story becomes more complicated as it travels down the road jumping ahead to Rowan marrying Jewell and having children. The history of Eden and her future life choices as well as Sammy. In a small town it seems that history of the community are entangled which only becomes more complicated as the years go on.
I enjoyed the story but about half way through I became confused as to the direction in which the story was leading. It felt like it started to fray around the edges and lacked the structure to fully bring it back into focus. The themes were strong and relevant addressing barriers and misconceptions of racial and socioeconomic discrimination which fall on all people.
No comments:
Post a Comment