In 1915, when this novel opens, the young
heroine Bess Heath sadly leaves the Loretto Academy boarding school in Niagara
Falls a year before graduation. Her
father has lost his prestigious job at the Niagara Power Company and has no
other prospects, causing a sudden shift in the family’s circumstances. Bess returns home to a depressed father who
has taken up drinking and a frazzled mother attempting to keep the family
afloat by resuming her seamstress business. Bess’ older sister Isabel, normally “flirtatious
and charming in the way only the prettiest girls dared to be” is a mere shadow
of her former self, seemingly having lost the will to live. Much more has changed for the Heath’s and the
other residents of Niagara Falls; WWI is underway overseas and hydroelectricity
is becoming a serious and lucrative business.
Against this backdrop, Bess meets Tom Cole, grandson of local hero Angus
Cole who had a well-reported history of rescuing folks from the power and
unpredictability of the Niagara River and the Falls. Tom is also a river man, living almost
indigently, but possessing an uncanny knowledge of the river and it’s adjacent
environment. Tom can anticipate danger
based only on the slightest changes to his surroundings combined with his sixth
sense of the river. Bess and Tom are
mutually smitten and their love story begins.
The Day
the Falls Stood Still,
this author’s debut novel, has all the elements of an epic family saga;
loyalty, shame, tragedy and star-crossed love.
The setting is spectacular and I learned to appreciate the power and
beauty of the river and it’s affect on the local residents. By writing this story almost completely
through the eyes of Bess, Buchanan provides great insight into her
character. Bess is a strong, independent
and modern woman, someone who rejects social norms to find her own happiness
while still supporting her family. Tom
is a worthy partner for Bess; brave, principled and, unlike the unscrupulous
power company executives, respectful of the natural wonder that is the Niagara
River. The river is a fitting symbol in
this story and it dominates Bess’ life.
With great effort, she both supports her growing family and maintains
her love for the river, and by extension her love for Tom. Buchanan’s writing flows through this book so
gracefully, I became totally absorbed in the story. This is a great first novel and it will
certainly be a tough act to follow.
1 comment:
Thank you, Ann and John. You've made my day!
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