Tiny Little Thing by
Beatriz Williams is a superb read. It combines politics, mystery
and romance within a historical background. It is a character
driven story line driven by the issues of the mid-1960s, including
political intrigue, the controversy of the Vietnam veterans,
and the treatment of women.
The story alternates between the years 1964 and 1966. The
reader becomes engrossed in the family dynamics. The narration
switches between the main female character, Christina (Tiny)
Hardcastle’s 1966 perspective and Major Caspian (Cap)
Harrison’s 1964 outlook. The plot begins with Tiny’s
husband, Frank, attending the Medal of Honor Ceremony for
his cousin Caspian. Frank sees this as a valued photo-op,
which will help his run for Congress in Massachusetts. Intertwined
in the political plot line is a mystery involving a photograph
sent to Tiny and a car found in the Cape Cod shed of her husband’s
family. Throughout the rest of the book readers become part
of the character’s lives, being transported into the
1960’s era, as they try to solve the secrets along with
the characters.
The plot reminds readers that during the 1960s women were
still marrying for prestige, and their life was based on their
husband’s ambitions. The book explains why Tiny is so
submissive: taught to be posh, polished, and always proper.
Since she was the oldest she was expected to live up to her
mom’s ambitions. But as the story progresses she gains
strength. Realizing that she does not have to conform to what
is expected, a world where wives have little say, she allows
herself a different fate. Tiny questions why she is staying
in a loveless marriage, how her miscarriage has affected her,
and what she can do to escape this unhappy life.
Williams noted, “As I wrote in the book, during the
1960s miscarriage was not an issue talked about much. Now
it is given a lot more attention. I thought about Jackie Kennedy
who also struggled with fertility and was expected to give
birth to the perfect child. I am also very conscious that
women of my generation have tended to have babies in their
30’s. It seems that fertility problems are much more
on the radar screen.”
One of the most fascinating characters is Major Caspian, who
is modeled after John Wayne: strong, silent, a hero, masculine,
and honest. He becomes Tiny’s savior who is trying to
escape living the perfect facade. Initially she has no say
in her marriage, expected to be the perfect political wife.
Together with her husband they are seen as the ultimate power
couple: intelligent, rich, and attractive. They must both
live up to their parent’s expectations. But with the
help of her sister Pepper Schuyler, she gains strength and
fights for her independence.
This novel is a fascinating look at the personality of politics.
As someone who considers themselves a historical novelist,
Williams stated, “The 1960s presented the friction between
the traditional and the modern, which included intense social,
political, economic, and artistic change. There was the choice
of being married to your job or your man, but not both. Political
wives had a specific role. I call it the “maniquinization”
of the American female. We expect our political wives to dress
and act in a certain way. Just look at Kate Middleton who
acts in a lady-like manner and is judged by what she is wearing.
Of course, Jackie Kennedy became a symbol for the celebrity
politician’s wife, starting that culture. John and Jackie
Kennedy were the visual image of perfection. She was the Queen
to his King.”
A supporting character, Tom, plays the antagonist to Caspian
protagonist. The issue about how US soldiers were treated
when they returned home from Vietnam is explored in depth.
Tom is constantly putting Cap down for enlisting and fighting
in Vietnam. Throughout the book he makes disgusting references
to the Major, “I can’t sit here and eat dinner
with these people. You fat, satisfied pigs who give medals
to fucking murderers.” Yet, it is the Major that grabs
the reader’s sympathies.
There is also a shout out to wounded warriors in the dedication
and through Caspian, a paraplegic who lost a leg during the
war. William’s writes, “To all those who return
from war not quite whole and to the people who love them.”
The story allows the reader to understand the sacrifices those
serving have made for their country.
Tiny Little Thing is a fascinating look at
wealth, love, power, ambition, and to what length family members
will go to protect each other. The historical events in the
book are intertwined perfectly within the lives of the characters
that make for a realistic and gripping story. |