Brooks Whitney Phillips' The Grove provides an insightful look into less than beautiful aspects of America's not that wonderful past through the eyes of a young narrator trying to make sense of the world she's been born into.
Pip (15) and her sister, Sissy (17), live with their parents in a failing citrus grove. The year is 1960. The family is just getting by. Both parents have problems with alcohol. It fuels her father's explosive anger and her mother's clinical depression. Their marriage is not a happy one. Her mother desperately misses the affluence and status of her growing up years and her father resents her lack of gratitude.
"You and I are cut from the same cloth, Pip. You know that, right? But your mama is different. Thinks she deserves some high-and-mighty life. Never happy with the fact she has a roof over her head and shoes on her feet."
When the girls aren't in school or sleeping they're tied down to unending chores. Their parents consider education a waste of time. There's only one time they have free: the days between Christmas Eve and New Years Day when the traveling carnival is in town and they get to enjoy the rides, fair foods, side shows, and games just like anyone else.
This year will be dangerously different. A handsome, self assured, sweet talking sword swallower will successfully woo Sissy and abandon her. Unfortunately before he leaves the seed will be sown for potentially heart breaking tragedy.
The Grove would be an excellent choice for a parent-teen book club or in a high school literature or social studies class.
On a purrrsonal note, I am really having a purrrfect birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 weekend. Eugene and I spent the weekend at camp. On our way up we stopped at every yard sale we saw. He bought everything I wanted. We saw a beautiful deer eating apples. We had a really relaxing day at camp and watched a funny movie at night. On our way back we stopped at stores where he kept buying everything I liked including 3 Squishmallows. Last weekend we spent the day in Cape Elizabeth with Katie and Adam. Next Sunday Amber and Brian will have a birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 party. So I am feeling very appreciated and loved.
A great big shout out goes out to my amazing family. They're simply the best!
Jules Hathaway
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