"The Good House" by Ann Leary was not what I expected, but in a good way. Ann Leary definitely knows her way around alcoholism but this is not a "preachy" book.
This book is filled with people like those you know in your hometown. Every one has a life that is effected by their past and as this is revealed in the book you understand some of their actions. The people who populate Wendover, whether they have grown up there or one of the newbies, give this town life and this book richness.
The narrator and main character, Hildy Good, is a descendent of one of the original founders of the town who happened to have been hanged as a witch during the Salem Witch Trials. Hildy, a successful realtor, has a drinking problem that she denies. Her life, her past,and the relationships she has with the current crop of townspeople make for good reading. You have to like her no matter the bad decisions she makes along the way.
While her friendship with newcomer, wealthy Rebecca McAllister, begins to add suspense to Hildy's life, life is fighting back. She struggles to keep her small business going and her drinking under control while keeping way too many secrets of those she knows. Her daughters and their families, but mostly the people in her town fill this book with great interior stories as we follow Hildy around.
Frank Getchell, the local garbage company owner, comes back into her life and more interesting events continue to happen. I thought this was going to be one of those light and amusing reads that did not leave a lasting impression but Hildy will be with me for a while, even if she is a Yankee! :)
The narrator and main character, Hildy Good, is a descendent of one of the original founders of the town who happened to have been hanged as a witch during the Salem Witch Trials. Hildy, a successful realtor, has a drinking problem that she denies. Her life, her past,and the relationships she has with the current crop of townspeople make for good reading. You have to like her no matter the bad decisions she makes along the way.
While her friendship with newcomer, wealthy Rebecca McAllister, begins to add suspense to Hildy's life, life is fighting back. She struggles to keep her small business going and her drinking under control while keeping way too many secrets of those she knows. Her daughters and their families, but mostly the people in her town fill this book with great interior stories as we follow Hildy around.
Frank Getchell, the local garbage company owner, comes back into her life and more interesting events continue to happen. I thought this was going to be one of those light and amusing reads that did not leave a lasting impression but Hildy will be with me for a while, even if she is a Yankee! :)
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