I can't remember the last time I picked up what I thought would be a good historical fiction beach read and found myself at the end so wanting to discuss the book. The Milton banking family - NY blue bloods, Mayflower WASPs, makers and power brokers of the world - once upon a time. In that perfect time, they sail past a grand white house on an island off the coast of Maine and buy it - the whole island - as a summer escape, a statement of just who they are. In 1936, Ogden, the Milton patriarch, travels to Berlin in the midst of the Olympics to renew a long term contract with a business friend. Milton money will provide the means to make Walser steel products - hairpins and the like - except that the men standing next to the two of them in a picture as they sign the deal are ready to unleash a holy horror on the world and Walser is Jewish. Two more generations add layers to the story ( back and forth of course ), a family history of seeing and understanding their role and responsibility through the magic mirror of denial. But this is not a WWll story. Many issues historical and contemporary are raised. This story asks questions to all of us. Can things both change and stay the same? Are words of kindness and acceptance real if nothing changes? What sacrifices are required? If change is necessary, can you preserve the good connected to an act of evil? Are they one and the same? This has book group written all over it!
No comments:
Post a Comment