I was so excited to get this book, the second by this author. The first, "The Lotus Eaters," was certainly one of the more memorable books that I have read in the past few years.And this book did not disappoint! (But I did like the first one a bit more.)
This book conveys some tragic stories that touch the life of Claire Baumsarg, a woman living and tending to a large citrus farm in California. The beginning of the novel quickly sets the stage for tragedy and drama, when Claire and Forster, her husband, and daughters Gwen and Lucy, lose their son and brother in a botched kidnapping attempt. While the rest of the family wants to abandon the farm, Claire can't leave and this results in her divorce and somewhat of an estrangement from her daughters.
Fifteen years later when she contracts breast cancer, she hires Minna, a strange and mysterious young woman, to care for her. What ensues is mystifying, captivating and engrossing.
Toward the end, I lost patience with Claire, but when the story shifts from the point of view of Claire to the first person narrative of Minna (Marie), the story makes more sense.
Soli is a talented author. I am ready for her next novel!
