I can’t be the only reader who secretly wishes she could write a novel, can I?
Well, here’s two ladies who have done a much better job than I would with their debuts:
“The Monsters of Templeton” by Lauren Groff
In “The Monsters,” we learn the history of the fictional town of Templeton (based loosely on the real town of Cooperstown, New York) through the eyes of Willie Upton. Back home from Stanford University for the summer and having a personal crisis, Willie learns that her father is not who she always thought he was. Her mother gives her a small clue her father’s identity before disappearing. To piece together her father’s identity, Willia delves into a genealogical exploration that leads her through the secrets of Templeton. Light enough to be a quick read, but unique enough to make it stand out from other summer reading, pick up “The Monsters of Templeton.”
“Keeping the House” by Ellen Baker
From New York, head west to Wisconsin to learn about the town of Pine Rapids. In “Keeping the House,” 1950’s housewife Dolly is bored. To pass the time she learns about the town’s historical family, the Mickelsons. She eventually becomes intertwined with them by way of their big beautiful house on the hill. But the story is also a flashback narrative about the Micklesons and their family’s love and loss during both of the World Wars. If there is a genre of “multi-generational family saga,” that’s my genre. I enjoy even the average ones. But rest assured, “Keeping the House” is not an average family saga.
In the meantime, I think I’ll leave the novel writing to other people. I can’t wait to see what these two ladies come up with next.
— CAITLIN