House on Salt Hay Road
Carin Clevidence

Farrar,Strauss and Giroux
May 2010 / ISBN 9780374173142
Fiction//family 1930's
Amazon

Reviewed by Barbara Buhrer

It is 1937 and in a rural Long Island town a fireworks factory explodes. In the aftermath, a train from Boston brings charming Robert Langgraf into 19 year old orphan, Nancy Poole's life. Nancy falls in love with Robert and decides to marry him. She goes to Boston with Robert, leaving behind her young brother, Clayton. Clayton feels betrayed by her abandonment. Nancy finds disappointment in the big city and without her guidance Clayton goes astray. To make matters worse, their aunt must deal with the husband from whom she was separated years ago, and with an uncle whose marriage had ended tragically. They all must learn to cope with their problems and try to get on with their lives.

This is an absorbing story of a dysfunctional family. It provides an in-depth portrayal of its problems, conflicts and loyalties. A great sense of time and place is evoked within its pages. There is deep emotion which permeates the entire book.

Reviewer's Note: