Thanks to Christmas gift certificates, I am able to buy newly published books rather than thriftily re-reading books from my shelves. This is from one of my favorite living authors; her previous novel Bel Canto is perfect, and this one is almost as good.
Patchett is a gifted storyteller who manages to make the characters central even over the dramatic plot developments. The drama in this novel comes when a stepmother evicts a brother and sister from their luxurious family home, the Dutch House, and deprives them of the riches to which they have long been accustomed. Danny and Maeve have thus lost their mother, who left them years ago to do good works in India, and their father, who failed to provide for them in his will, and have only each other left to depend upon. The narrative follows them through five decades, during which they attempt to deal with loss and find forgiveness and peace.
When so many of the currently published noteworthy novels deal with racial issues and other politically-charged subjects, it is refreshing to read a well-told narrative about problems common to all. We don't all have wicked stepmothers, certainly, but we all have family issues that tend to fester if unresolved. Patchett's writing is elegant and straightforward, giving her absorbing story great readability.
Highly recommended.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment