In the aftermath of a devastating wedding day, two families, the Tetherlys and the Copakens, find their lives unraveled by unthinkable loss. Over the course of the next four summers in Red Hook, Maine, they struggle to bridge differences of class and background to honor the memory of the couple, Becca and John.
As Waldman explores the unique and personal ways in which each character responds to the tragedy–from the budding romance between the two surviving children, Ruthie and Matt, to the struggling marriage between Iris, a high strung professor in New York, and her husband Daniel–she creates a powerful family portrait and a beautiful reminder of the joys of life.
Elegantly written and emotionally gripping, RED HOOK ROAD affirms Waldman’s place among today’s most talented authors.
As Waldman explores the unique and personal ways in which each character responds to the tragedy–from the budding romance between the two surviving children, Ruthie and Matt, to the struggling marriage between Iris, a high strung professor in New York, and her husband Daniel–she creates a powerful family portrait and a beautiful reminder of the joys of life.
Elegantly written and emotionally gripping, RED HOOK ROAD affirms Waldman’s place among today’s most talented authors.
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Reviews
This beautiful novel shows us how families cope with the most painful kind of loss and reminds us that even as grief fractures, it can pave the way for unexpected grace
Waldman knits [relationships] together with the pleasing simmetry of a doily. ...She also constructs an impressive parallel between the vocations of shipbuilding and playing a stringer instrument. ...Readers will enjoy the ride
Excellent. ...A compelling, unique story. ...Grabs the reader right away
Waldman writes with practiced skill. ...It's a love story, a tragedy, a family saga, as well as a novel about class conflict that pits two stubborn, controlling women against one another
Terrific. ...Waldman's prose style is lovely and fresh. ...This book made me happy, and happy to be alive
A thoroughly gripping and elegantly written story about love, grief, friendship, and the unexpected ways in which disaster brings families together.
"Articulately plumbs the depths of the parent-child bond with clarityand intense feeling."
With the careful attention of a movie director, Waldman renders apanoramic scene of a wedding.. . . Lyrical descriptions.