Review: San Miguel by T.C. Boyle
I adore everything I have read by T.C. Boyle, to date. He is both a master short story artist and novelist! When I hear he was coming out with a new book, of course I ran to Net Galley to request the ebook. I was approved and now I must bow my head in shame. You see, I read it right away but I never could seem to find the time to review it with all of my backlog of reviews. I want to apologize to Net Galley, Penguin, and Mr. Boyle for the lateness of this review.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Women, a historical novel about three women’s lives on a California island.
On a tiny, desolate, windswept island off the coast of Southern California, two families, one in the 1880s and one in the 1930s, come to start new lives and pursue dreams of self-reliance and freedom. Their extraordinary stories, full of struggle and hope, are the subject of T. C. Boyle’s haunting new novel.
Thirty-eight-year-old Marantha Waters arrives on San Miguel on New Year’s Day 1888 to restore her failing health. Joined by her husband, a stubborn, driven Civil War veteran who will take over the operation of the sheep ranch on the island, Marantha strives to persevere in the face of the hardships, some anticipated and some not, of living in such brutal isolation. Two years later their adopted teenage daughter, Edith, an aspiring actress, will exploit every opportunity to escape the captivity her father has imposed on her. Time closes in on them all and as the new century approaches, the ranch stands untenanted. And then in March 1930, Elise Lester, a librarian from New York City, settles on San Miguel with her husband, Herbie, a World War I veteran full of manic energy. As the years go on they find a measure of fulfillment and serenity; Elise gives birth to two daughters, and the family even achieves a celebrity of sorts. But will the peace and beauty of the island see them through the impending war as it had seen them through the Depression? Rendered in Boyle’s accomplished, assured voice, with great period detail and utterly memorable characters, this is a moving and dramatic work from one of America’s most talented and inventive storytellers.
My Thoughts:
Though San Miguel was a departure from his other works, T.C. Boyle did not disappoint! All of the past works of his that I have read had a lot of ironic humor. His biting humor is part of what I love about him. However, San Miguel was written as straight historical fiction. It was quite deep and depressing but to insert humor would have distracted and taken away from the story.
Based on historical records, Two different families settle on a small Island off the coast of California on in the late 1800's and one in the 1930's. Both families had different experiences from each other while there.
The main focus is in the Waters family.In 1888, Will Waters spent the last of his money on a small heard of sheep and brought his wife, Marantha and their adopted daughter Edith to the Island to live and start a sheep herding business there. The land was unforgiving and the house was falling apart. It was just the family and two workers, one a boy, who lived on the Island. Marantha had TB and with no doctor to tend to her. With dust rolling through the house and the roof leaking all over when it rained, it was a less than ideal place for a person with TB to be.
I could tell that this book was well researched, something I demand for the historical fiction that I choose to read. This story is one quite original in scope something I love even more. There are so many Tudor books out there and I have had my fill of them. I was in need for something fresh and T.C. Boyle delivered!
He captured the rugged landscape and time so well that I was transported to 1888. I was on the Island with the Waters family and I felt desperate to help Marantha and Edith. At first I cared about Will as well but he turned out to be unrelenting. He didn't seem to care that his wife was dying and his daughter was miserable.
In 1930, Elise and Herbie Lester had a easier time of it, In fact they had two daughters and thrived on the Island.
If you love historical fiction and are hungry for something completely original, I highly recommend this book!
5/5
I received this ebook for my honest opinion.
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