Tricia Dower

Dower creates three very distinct female leads in this novel, and each one could carry a book on their own. Instead, Dower introduces the initial question of the book, through Miranda, then eases the reader through years of each girls’ life, and the paths they choose along the way. She makes the mid-1950s come alive and, while giving us the standard view of America at that time, she also lifts up the veil and shows us the dark places. Dower takes on the extremely tough and touchy subjects of incest and mental illness, then masterfully plays them out, along with many other themes throughout the novel. Well done.… (plus d'informations)

I loved this book!

This is a story sent in the late 1950s in a small New York town. It centers around three teenaged girls: Linda. Tereza and Miranda. Linda is still largely an innocent child, struggling with her weight, and a mother who appears to be clinically depressed. Tereza has grown up too fast and deals with an abusive step-father. Miranda was kept locked away from the world by her father, until his unexpected death thrusts her, and her young son, into society.

The story revolves around these girls, and around the plight of women more generally in this time period. Women are victims of crime, and of society's norms that dictate appropriate behaviour and roles for them. So much is left unsaid...never talked about...and the young women must navigate a future for themselves.

The author is especially skilled at setting a mood and tone for the time and setting. Recommended!… (plus d'informations)