Commonwealth Avenue

I lucked into this one on a remainder table many months ago, and just read it last week. Linda Nevins tells her story beautifully--this book is what my wife and I call "a gripper." Normally I avoid family sagas, but I am delighted that I didn't let that stop me this time. This book is really about two women, one who lived in the late 19th century and her great-grandaughter, who lives today. Both of them are admirable. A great story.

This is an intricate tale told by a skilled story-teller. Since Boston is close-by, the locations are familiar to me as is the character of John Singer Sargent. Ms. Nevins captured the Victorian period beautifully and developed her characters, especially Zoe, with an understanding of human nature and human failings. This novel brings you into the highs and lows of two lives which are generations apart, yet so close to one another in many ways. Reading this novel leaves you wanting to read more by this author, which is the biggest compliment which can be bestowed upon any artist of the written word. I would highly recommend this book.