Author: Morgan Callan Rogers
Publication Year: 2012
Publisher: Viking
Edition: eGalley
Source: NetGalleySetting: Maine
Date Completed: 4/26/2012
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: yes
Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea, is a coming of age, debut novel
which takes place in a small sea-side town in Maine, in the
1960s. It's a place where most of the year round residents know each
other.
Growing up for most young girls is hard enough, but for Florine
Gilham, the story's young protagonist, it is even more painful. The
summer she was 12, her mother, Carlie, who worked as a waitress,
disappeared during her annual trip with a friend to Crow's Nest Harbor. The lives of Florine, her father Leeman, a lobster-man are
changed forever, and although Leeman's mother Grand, is wonderful,
trying to fill the void however she can, there are just some aspects of
mothering that leave her feeling helpless. You just can't replace the
mother a child adored. One day when Florine is desperate to get her
mother back, she throws Grand's favorite possession, a "Red Ruby Heart
Necklace" into the sea, pleading for her mother to come back.
Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea is a touching coming of age
story. It's sad to see a child mourning the loss of a parent, and as a
reader, I was anxious to see her come around and see a bit of sunshine, once again
in her life. The novel features several great small town characters, like
Stella, Leeman's former girlfriend, who add new interest to the story. The author does a great job of painting, what seems to be, an accurate
picture of what life was like in the summer of the 1960s in one small
Maine, resort-town.
Readers who like coming of age stories, and books about small town life, especially one with a protagonist that will have you rooting for through and through, will enjoy this book.
I can only imagine how hard it would be for a 12 year old girl to lose her mother. This book sounds touching.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound touching. Excellent review, Diane.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a heart-tugging novel, Diane. I like the setting.
ReplyDeleteI love all of the things you highlighted in a story! This one I think would be a great addition to my must-read shelf.
ReplyDeleteI love coming of age novels...especially ones set in Maine!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a touching but melancholy read.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds sad but if I am in the right frame of mind I think I would like it. I like the setting of Maine and I can't resist a good coming of age novel with a young girl trying to find her way in the world.
ReplyDelete