School On Heart's Content Road, The (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
It is funny, I had alot of trouble getting started on this novel, just didn't like or identify with anyone I met in the opening pages, and then once I got past the first 50 pages, it was remarkable--this is a window into a world that I don't live in, but have family in, and this gives a voice to those folks. The rural, lower middle class to poor, less educated to not educated, living in homogenous communities that seem to breed a bit too much hate and religious zeal for my taste, and for their own good. Beautifully written and after a rocky start, very easy to read. A good book club choice I think. Knowing the author from her book "The Beans of Egypt, Maine," I wanted to try this one. Being obsessive, I probably would have given it 3.5 stars. It held my interest and I was always anxious to get back to it. A 15-year-old dropout is evicted from the home of his half-brother, seemingly unfairly, as the boy seems to be trying to help support the struggling family as best he can. For a while he sets up camp in a tree house in the woods until he's drawn into two local groups, one a militia-type organization and the other a cooperative back-to-the earth gathering with polygamy features. Part of the plot involves the relationship of the men who head each group. All of this activity is of course in the margins of society so the media and governmental agencies are watching and people are curious about what goes on inside the secretive meetings and daily lives of those in the Settlement. Also playing a part, is the little girl "Secret Agent Jane" who's shown on the cover. The author uses a quirky List of Icons for chapter headings and a character list of which you think, "Oh no, this is going to be a pain." Not a problem, though.
What do You think about School On Heart's Content Road, The (2008)?
So far I'm not crazy about it. The writing is just not that good.
—SNCox01
this was one of the worst books I have ever read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Mar206
people in maine are crazy. all of 'em. especially the author.
—nisamasyifa
