This is a lovely, sentimental story about the Depression years. I think Ms. Garlock does a wonderful thing with this time period. Weve all heard folks talk about the Depression, saying that they were poor, but since everyone else was in the same boat, people didnt really see themselves as impoverished.
The characters are charming particularly the leads and Johnny. Garlock does another thing only experienced authors seem willing to chance some of the 'bad' characters change.
Garlock captures that small town feel in this story and it is nice to look back at a simpler time with nostalgia (even if it was the Depression years). She also makes a point of showing the downside of a small town everyone knows everyone elses business.
The story starts with twin tragedies; we are introduced to Henry Anns mother a floozy and a good time girl who has abandoned her husband and daughter. Mom blows into town to demand some money from her husband and move on with her next boyfriend. By the tone of the questions Henry Ann asks her mother, we can see that she is level-headed and understands things far beyond her years.
The story jumps forward several years and we learn that Henry Anns father is dying. Mr. Henry has been the rock upon which Henry Ann has built her life. We wonder how she will cope.
This is a pleasant story; the reason I didnt score it higher was that it was perfectly obvious where things were going. At times, it looked like it took a bit too long to get there.
The Dolan Brothers
1. Ribbon in the Sky (1991)
2. With Hope (1998)
3. With Song (1999)
4. With Heart (1999)
5. After the Parade (2000)
The characters are charming particularly the leads and Johnny. Garlock does another thing only experienced authors seem willing to chance some of the 'bad' characters change.
Garlock captures that small town feel in this story and it is nice to look back at a simpler time with nostalgia (even if it was the Depression years). She also makes a point of showing the downside of a small town everyone knows everyone elses business.
The story starts with twin tragedies; we are introduced to Henry Anns mother a floozy and a good time girl who has abandoned her husband and daughter. Mom blows into town to demand some money from her husband and move on with her next boyfriend. By the tone of the questions Henry Ann asks her mother, we can see that she is level-headed and understands things far beyond her years.
The story jumps forward several years and we learn that Henry Anns father is dying. Mr. Henry has been the rock upon which Henry Ann has built her life. We wonder how she will cope.
This is a pleasant story; the reason I didnt score it higher was that it was perfectly obvious where things were going. At times, it looked like it took a bit too long to get there.
The Dolan Brothers
1. Ribbon in the Sky (1991)
2. With Hope (1998)
3. With Song (1999)
4. With Heart (1999)
5. After the Parade (2000)
