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James Michael Pratt

2001356 pagesabout 5–8 hours
2001
first published
  • 2001356 pages · ENGISBN 9780739415214
  • 2001St. Martin's Press · 356 pages · ENGISBN 9780312266332
  • 2001Wheeler Pub. · 399 pages · ENGISBN 9781587240041
  • 2005Brilliance Audio on MP3-CD Lib Ed · ENGISBN 9781596006201
  • 2005Brilliance Audio on MP3-CD · ENGISBN 9781596006195

Teenage twins Norman and Lucian Parker, trainmen in late 1930s Oklahoma, having endured the dual tragedies of the Depression and the death of their mother, fall for the same woman, blonde stunner Mary Jane Harrison. Conservative, sensitive Norman begins to court Mary Jane, but she soon leaves for California. Heartbroken, Norman joins the National Guard and tries to forget her. Meanwhile, rash, volatile Lucien moves to California to attend college. Of course he meets up with Mary Jane and they begin a secret romance. The rift between the brothers deepens when Lucien and Mary Jane wed, but it is clear that Mary Jane suffers regrets.

How it feels

Emotional toneUnflinching
AtmosphereBleak

How it reads

Plot intensityCharacter driven
Character focusSmall ensemble
ComplexityLayered

Worth knowing

ViolenceFrequent
Romance levelCentral

When and where

Content notes

  • Warmoderateunreviewed
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