Molly
Ayer is a 17 year old Foster-care child who has been moved from home to
home for nearly a decade after her father died. Learning quickly that
she was basically a money-maker for most of her foster parents, Molly
built a huge wall to keep everyone out -- and her feelings in. She took
on the most off-putting persona she could imagine (Goth) and chose to
live up to everyone's expectations of her, though they were all negative
ones. She finally finds herself in Spruce Harbor, Maine; and though she
tried to keep people at a distance, somehow she found a friend and
boyfriend in Jack who believes in her despite her telling him he
shouldn't.
And then Molly gets in trouble for trying to steal a
copy of JANE EYRE from the library. It's either juvie or community
service for Molly, and with Jack's help, Molly ends up choosing
community service. That's how she meets Vivian Daly, a wealthy
90-something year old widow with secrets of her own.
Vivian Daily
was once named Niamh. But that was before she was named Dorothy. And
before she was an orphan who had lost everything in a fire. Her family
had come to America from Ireland with hopes of a better life in the late
1920s. But a better life was not to be found, and soon it was much
worse than anything she could ever have imagined. After the death of her
family members, Niamh is taken by the Children's Aid Society and put on
an orphan train to the Midwest where she would eventually be taken in
by a family in Minnesota. And kicked out of their home. And taken to
another family. And kicked out... Until she finally finds a place.
A
story of love, loss, and reinvention, Vivian's resonates with Molly and
the two of them change in unexpected ways as a result of their
association.
***I really liked this book. There was some language
I didn't appreciate and a few scenes that were shocking. But it was one
I kept wanting to return to in my quiet moments -- a sure sign of a
good book! Which is awesome, since I didn't vote to read this one for
Book Club. I love the way the story ends (mostly... but it would be a
spoiler to talk more about it...).
