One of the best booksI've read recently | Sea Glass

really enjoyed this book | Sea Glass | Anita Shreve

books:


	• Sea Glass Anita Shreve ABACUS (LITT), 2002 - 336 pages average customer review:based on 130 reviews view larger image
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Great premise & writing, but disappointing overall

The IDEA of Honora and Sexton's story gripped me. Two people who don't know each other very well fall for each other, get married very quickly, and then their marriage suffers from the blows life throws at them. The issue I had with their characters was that Honora seemed too perfect--good cook, great housekeeper, cares for her husband--and Sexton seemed too flawed--greasy salesman type, keeps important secrets from his wife, eventually even cheats on her. In my opinion, Ms. Shreve's characters aren't usually so perfectly defined as "good" and "evil"--and that's what I've always liked about her novels.

The novel itself, set on the cusp of the Great Depression and focusing on three completely different classes--Vivian as the upper class, Honora and Sexton as the middle class, and McDermott and Alphonse as the mill-worker lower class--seemed as if it was just trying to cover too much too fast, leaving it disjointed, and leaving me feeling as if the plot as a whole never came together.

The only thing that seemed steady in this novel as compared to Ms. Shreve's other endeavors was her style of writing, which, as always, gripped me. The fact that I am a huge fan of how she writes is, however, the only reason I could give this novel 3 stars.

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One of the best booksI've read recently

The thing I liked most about this book was the overall atmosphere that the author created. It was extremely evocative of a time and place in US history (early labor strikes in New England textile industry). The characters and actual physical setting of the story are so well drawn that you feel like you have actually been there and know them.

In my opinion, Anita Shreve has a unique talent for melding interesting and unique events, places and personalities together to form a memorable and highly moving story that makes you come back for more.

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really enjoyed this book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and the story builds to an interesting climax. This is only the second book that I've read by Anita Shreve, but it will definitely not be my last. She has a wonderful way of grabbing your attention at the start and keeping you interested throughout. Can't wait to read another.

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Life in the Depression Era

Set in the early depression era on the East Coast, the novel follows Honora and Sexton Beecher from the beginning of their marriage. They moved into a large deserted old house on the beach and threw themselves into making it habitable with mostly sweat equity and little money. Sexton is away every week because of his job as travelling salesman and Honora lives a quiet but very structured life. She walks frequently on the lonely beach and collects colorful bits of sea glass.

When the owner decides to sell the home, Sexton manages to scrape together enough for the down payment and takes a mortgage at the local bank. Unfortunately, it's at the worst possible time as banks are starting to collapse and many are losing their jobs.

The story follows the arc of their relationship from good times to bad and explores the discoveries they make about each other as a result of their travails. Part of the subtext of the story is revealed through homey letters from Honora's mother. Sexton becomes involved with a group of men fomenting a strike at the local textile mills. Their home becomes the headquarters of the organizers, bringing them into the center of a dangerous and controversial movement.

The historical context of the novel was interesting, but what was most compelling was Anita Shreve's ability to create a fully imagined, complex, sympathetic character - Honora Sexton. I could imagine myself living in her time and faced with the same challenges. It's not always possible to "associate" yourself so completely with a fictional character, but Anita Shreve's skill make it possible.

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Innocence, love, friendship