At the turn of the 20th century, ostracized by society following a scandalous romantic affair, pianist Catherine Wainright knows she must leave Dayton. There will be no more money coming in from her parents or musical engagements. In desperation, she accepts a proposal of marriage from a childhood friend, Oscar Williams, now a farmer on the island of Galveston, TX. Oscar had lost his wife to malaria, and his young son had become attached to their housekeeper, Nan. When Catherine arrives, Nan decides this new wife is far too highfalutin and hopes Oscar and Catherine's hasty marriage won't take. Yet when Catherine plays the piano, everyone in the household is enchanted. Though she is filled with doubts, Catherine begins to fall for Oscar. Then when a hurricane hits Galveston, matters of survival become paramount.
VERDICT Excellent use of historical detail and strong character development mark this second novel by Weisgarber, whose 2010 debut, The Personal History of Rachel DuPree, was long-listed for the Orange Prize, and it should attract wide readership.
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