The Situation: When Margaret Salt and Cal Jenkins first meet, neither of them have any idea that their lives, and the lives of their families, are about to be changed in unimaginable ways. Margaret never knew either one of her parents, but after growing up in an orphanage, she managed a life on her own before marrying Felix. Cal was born with one leg shorter than the other, a condition that would make him exempt from serving in the war, which is both a relief and a burden. It bothers him more than it does his wife Becky, who stays busy helping her clients contact their dead loved ones. It is 1945 when Margaret marches into the store where Cal works, desperate for a radio that will tell her what she already suspects is true: Germany has surrendered to the armed forces, which means Margaret's husband Felix may soon be coming home.
The Problem: Margaret does love Felix, or at least she is fairly certain that there is something close to love there. But their marriage has always left her a little underwhelmed, and she is not sure what to expect when he returns. Cal and Becky look great on paper, but he has never been too sure about her little 'hobby,' and the truth of that has always hurt his wife more than a little. When Cal and Margaret have an encounter that neither of them saw coming, the next few decades of their lives in the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio will be full of secrets and quick glances, as well as hushed conversations. In time, everyone will have to confront the truth of what happened, and what kind of people they really are.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that begins the narrative in 1920, when Cal is born, and continues on through two World Wars, the Korean War, and then the Vietnam War, before ending in the early 1980s. At the center are two couples: Margaret and Felix Salt, and Cal and Becky Jenkins. Divided into three parts, the history and background of each of the four main characters is thoroughly explored before reaching the point in history where they marry their spouses and begin to build a family. The difficulty of human relationships remains a focus, especially during and after World War II, when the couples are younger and are figuring out life together. And what makes this even more difficult than it already would be are the things not being said, or acknowledged.
My Verdict: I wanted a sweeping epic that covers a large span of time while staying focused on only a few people, and that is exactly what I got. This story of the Salts and the Jenkins is incredibly specific, while also feeling like it could be about anyone's neighbors in any small town in the U.S. There is not necessarily a hero in the story, or any one true villain, as everyone makes mistakes and assumptions, and the consequences that follow are simply part of the natural course of events. Nothing feels forced or overly dramatic, and the small bits of humor are subtle and appreciated. And I enjoyed the exploration of the complicated and often conflicting emotions that come with the revelation of family secrets, and the reality that sometimes people do not try their best, if only because they do not want to.
Favorite Moment: Roman, Cal's father-in-law, may not be the most sympathetic character, but he gives his son-in-law some marriage advice that is blunt, to the point, and needed to be said.
Favorite Character: Cal's father Everett is a hoarder and an alcoholic, and loves to write angry letters to the President of the United States (whoever that may be at the time). His and Cal's relationship borders on contentious most of the time, but he is more than just a grumpy old man who has lost more than most and wants to be left alone.
Recommended Reading: I could not help but be reminded of John Steinbeck's East of Eden.
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