Author: Susan Welch
Publisher: FaodialPublishing
ISBN:  978-1-7338485-1-0

Susan Welch, author of AThread So Fine, hails from Minnesota and Wisconsin. (insert andinside book, 2019) Ms. Welsh was herself adopted and this journeyprovided the impetus for her to write this wonderful book. Much ofwhat is revealed in these pages is a tapestry of her life meshed with fiction.  

This book takes place largely in Minnesota yet travels to the state of New York and Washington DC and is a multi-generational tale. Several characters hold the main stage, but Eliza Malone and her sister Shannon are the leads. Shannon is the elder, but the frailer of the two sisters. Both are pretty girls, but Eliza is especially fetching. They also have a soldier brother Ed who has just come back from combat in WWII.

The Malone’s are a Roman Catholic family steeped in Irish tradition and true to their religious roots. Fa, the father is an educator at the University of Minnesota and comes from affluent family origins which affords them a privileged lifestyle and access to quality healthcare and educations. They share holidays between their home near campus and that of their grandparents on Lake Minnetonka.

It unfurls with their own rather idyllic childhood up until the point where Shannon is diagnosed with Tuberculosis. Although a year apart in age, Shannon and Eliza are in the same grade in school because Eliza was so smart. Shannon finds comfort in this and relies on Eliza for nearly everything from her fashion sense to what to do after they graduate high school. The diagnosis of Tuberculosis has thrown the entire family into a tailspin. Shannon is hospitalized and endures multiple surgeries that ultimately leave her unable to have children which is something she feels compassionate about and saddened that it will never come to fruition.  

Eliza had a beau named David and she was completely in love with him until one day his drunken cousin rapes her and she finds herself with child. Eliza is sent away to a Catholic home for unwed mothers until she gives birth. She finds the idea of this rape child so unsavory that she tells nobody the truth. Finally, the child is born and she feels this new life on her body and is stirred by maternal instincts she never knew she had, but does not want to acknowledge this to anyone. She believes that her baby died because she had a high fever and while inwardly saddened by this turn of events she decides to pack those thoughts and feelings away never to be felt again.

With purpose Eliza decides to move away to New York to attend Cornell University where she becomes a star pupil and later a Dean of Women’s Studies and advisor the President Johnson. David tries to contact her and rekindle their connection, but Eliza tells him she never loved him and he should move on with his life. However, she never completely forgets him. Will they come together at some later date?

Eventually, Shannon recovers from her bout with Tuberculosis and becomes a nanny for the child Eliza believes died. Her name is Miriam and she is so happy to get to know her and play a vital role in her life. She wishes with all her heart that she could reunite Eliza with Miriam too. Will she be successful?  

Without giving too much away I want to state that I really enjoyed reading this book. I fell in love with the characters and their separate journeys. If you are searching for a wonderful summer read this may be the book for you!