by Shirley Streshinsky ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 23, 1982
There's a sizable parade of ruin and romance in this saga about two California sisters from 1887-1939--but Streshinsky confides it all in an intimate, agreeably uncluttered fashion. The crowded years are narrated by Lena Kerr, crippled since infancy with a twisted back, who follows her vibrant sister Willa--and Willa's husband, go-getting Owen Reade--from their Illinois farm home to the California coast. Owen racks up a mighty fortune in land development, oil, and mines there; the Reades settle down on their Malibu ranch, on unspoiled land where Willa indulges herself often in the study of hawks; two boys are born, Wen and Thad. But the marriage has its stresses--especially since Willa wants more than Owen (a peripatetic, whirlwind money-maker) can give. So, during one of Owen's prolonged absences, Willa has a torrid affair with the temporary foreman, Conner McCord--who'll be arrested for smuggling and sent to prison. And when Willa gives birth to daughter Rose, she guiltily gives the child to Lena to raise--but Rose is accidentally poisoned. The devastated Lena does find, however, reasons for living: her love for Wing Soong, the half-Chinese gardener (a Sun Yat Sen follower who is later a revolutionary in China); and her love for their child Porter--who is publically declared to be the twin of Willa's youngest child Kit. (Owen dies just before these births.) Miseries follow--from Thad's accidental mutilation and insanity to Wen's foul behavior to the constant harassment from those interested in subdividing the ranch (for the building of a public road). There are balls, feasts, travels abroad, and politics., (Activist Porter fights in the Spanish Civil War, learns his true parentage, is last seen as a WW II correspondent). And as Willa fights to the last for the ranch, daughter Kit weds Willa's ill-treated old flame Conner McCord--who'll be the victim of a murder/conspiracy--while narrator Lena is last seen living with Porter's pregnant Chinese wife, serene in her memories of good times and ""lovely summer dreams."" Pleasant--though the tiny type-size may deter some readers.
Pub Date: April 23, 1982
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: N/A
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1982
Categories: FICTION
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.