This book is strong in character, story and setting.
Summary:
A generational saga of the five Novak children of Bakerton, a coal
company town in Pennsylvania. Coming of age during WWII, the Novaks see the
world changing. Georgie leaves town forever after his Navy service, saved from
a life in the mines. Dorothy takes one of the many clerical jobs in Washington
DC. Joyce joins the WACS with an idealistic view of serving her nation, but
comes home disillusioned and bearing all the family burdens. Sandy heads for
Hollywood, and baby Lucy, as the book jacket states, "devours the family's attention
and develops a bottomless appetite for love."
I would recommend this book!
Why?
Haigh uses rich, multi-dimensional characters you really come to care
about. Painlessly you start to understand a different time and place, and how
limited were the life choices in some cases. Following the Novaks as they try to
escape a life in the mines or factories, you root for them, but understand the
economic struggles of the town after all the men come home from war.
Inevitably, you watch a way of life disappear. Since Ohio industrial towns
followed much the same pattern of job loss, it's easy to identify with Bakerton.
Other suggested reading:
Haigh's first novel, Mrs. Kimble, was so well-written I had to read
her second even though I am not usually drawn to historical fiction. I
recommend both.
For books with a similar Western-PA setting, try Tawni O'Dell's Back Roads, which became an Oprah selection,
and Coal Run. (They are both a little more dark
and melodramatic than Baker Towers.)
Employee Initials: SB
Review Date: March 2005
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