“Weyward,” by Emilia Hart (St. Martin’s Press, 2024)
Three women of the Weyward family inhabit this novel, starting with Altha (“healer”) in 1619. She relays her story in first person, and that was the most compelling for me. Violet’s story (1942) effectively bridges that of her ancestor and her great-niece. Extraordinarily sheltered, virtually imprisoned, Violet has the most arduous journey to realize her true self. Kate, in 2019, was the character I initially found most unappealing, due to her apparent weaknesses. By the book’s denouement, though, I liked Kate much more.
Their relationships with their mothers are varied. Altha was exceptionally close to hers, and their connection was loving and supportive. Violet hardly remembers her mother (and doesn’t recall her grandmother at all), but as the novel advances she learns more about her heritage. Kate’s relationship with her mother starts tenuously, then strengthens. This mother-daughter motif is a secondary theme in the book, and one I appreciated. This is an accomplished novel, and I’m impressed with Hart’s debut. Don’t let its inclusion of witchery put you off. — 3 stars (out of 4); Neva Gronert, Parker
“The Guest Lecture,” by Martin Riker (Grove Atlantic, 2023)
Female economist Abby is nervous about her lack of preparation for the guest lecture that she is to give the next day at an economics forum. As she lies in bed, Abby decides to review what she is going to say by using the “loci” method, a rhetorical technique in which she connects the different parts of her speech to the various rooms in her house. Her tour guide is none other than John Maynard Keynes — with a sense of humor. While this insomniac review springs completely from Abby’s imagination, she explores events in her life, including her recent denial of tenure at the university where she has worked for years. This sly, witty read is a delight and has the powerful effect of piquing the reader’s curiosity about Keynes and his ideas and exposing the sometimes arbitrary nature of the tenure process. — 4 stars (out of 4); Susan Tracy, Denver
“Small Things Like These,” by Claire Keegan (Grove Press, 2021)
This award-winning novella explores the impact of Ireland’s Roman Catholic “Magdalen laundries” (harsh institutions that housed unwed mothers, exploited their labor, and forcefully took their babies from them) upon not only the lives of these women but also on those in the communities surrounding the “laundries.” Our hero, himself an illegitimate child raised in the wealthy household that sheltered his mother, has made an honest and reputable life over the years. Yet, when he is confronted by the truth of the local “laundry,” he hesitates before taking action. While there are allusions to Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” this one doesn’t offer up a “God bless us, everyone!” ending. Beautifully written, not a word out of place. — 4 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver
“American Wife,” by Curtis Sittenfeld (Random House, 2008)
Can a properly raised and well-behaved introvert deal with the angst of national politics? Loosely based on Laura Bush’s life, fictional First Lady Alice Lindgren from childhood exhibits proper values — studiousness, courtesy and hard work. Then, at 17, a tragic accident changes her and her fate. As she tries to recover, she meets a charmer from a powerful and rich Republican family, marries him, and begins an unexpected trek into prominence, in which she must weigh her personal values against loyalty. Can she both love and oppose her husband? — 2 stars (out of 4); Bonnie McCune, bonniemccune.com
“Good Night, Irene,” by Luis Alberto Urrea (Little, Brown and Company, 2023)
This historical fiction is based on the author’s mother’s experiences as a “Donut Dolly” with the American Red Cross, serving coffee and donuts in the European Theater (often at the front lines) in World War II. Most of this history has been lost, due to an archival fire, but Urrea had access to his mother’s journal and was able to interview the few remaining “Dollys.” Amazing adventures of intrepid, unflappable and frequently inventive American women in WWII. Grab your hanky for the touching ending. — 3 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver
