Published by William Morrow Genres: coming of age, Contempory, Drama, Fiction
Format: Audiobook
This book had me counting all the ways I loved it. This book looks at family, relationships, being a parent, sacrifice, resentment, marriage, divorce, growth, tragedy, being yourself, and growing up.
Eleanor and Cam met in the early ’70’s at a craft fair in Vermont. They fall in love and soon have three children and live on a farm in New Hampshire. Eleanor is happy. She loves her farm, her children and husband, but then a tragedy occurred due to Cam’s negligence and everything changes.
Eleanor can’t forgive him, and Cam looks for love elsewhere…
I loved books that evoke emotions and this book had me feeling various emotions. I was mad at Cam, I was mad at Eleanor, I felt for the children, I felt for a life that was changed, I felt how their lives were changed and how assumptions were made.
Joyce Maynard is a gifted and talented writer. She created a family drama that was not only about marriage, but also about family, love, sacrifice, resentment, blame, parenting, gender transition, growing up, letting go and relationships.
Not only does this book evoke emotion it is also nostalgic. Those who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s will appreciate the references.
I can’t say enough about Maynard’s gift of storytelling and writing. This is a book that had me thinking about it long after I turned the last page.
Highly Recommend.