Possessions

I enjoy many of Judith/Michael's novels for their fine descriptive writing of various settings and character development. In Possessions, we travel from Vancouver to San Francisco, to the Place des Vosges in Paris and the golden, languid South of France. The theme is building - whether it deals with the Hayward family's construction empire or the elements of what builds or destroys a family. We first meet Katherine Fraser as a plain housewife caring for her husband Craig and their two children, Todd and Jennifer, in Vancouver. Startling events after the disappearance of her husband lead Katherine to discover Craig's intriguing past that he had since their marriage successfully hidden from her. All of the scandalous press attention associated with Craig's disappearance leads Katherine to the powerful Hayward clan in San Francisco - the family that Craig had left years ago - the family that believed him dead in a tragic sailing accident.Katherine moves to San Francisco with her reluctant children, still confused over the loss of their husband and father. Both Katherine and the Haywards are immediately wary of each other and after one confontation, Katherine declares that she will survive on her own. With the help of a good friend, she provides for her children and eventually becomes more serious about her hobby of jewelry design. She slowly learns the power of image and knowledge, and how to take control of situations instead of having them control her as they had all her life. The Haywards become curious, and slowly draw her into the family. Katherine meets Victoria, the matriarch, stern and distinguished; her brother Tobias, the literature professor, with his ever ready supply of quotations and witticisms; dark and foreboding Derek, and kind-hearted Ross whose solid dreams of building towns are demolished by his family that is falling apart. Katherine is shaped by each of her encounters with this wealthy, worldly family. Nonetheless, her own true self emerges, as she rediscovers life, love, and fulfillment.

I have read all of Judith Michael's books and loved them, but this one was my favorite. I had read it years ago and I am planning on reading it again.