Daughter of Providence

by Julie Drew

Julie Drew's extraordinary novel is a breakthrough work in the tradition of Richard Russo and Annie Proulx. summer, 1934: Anne Dodge, raised by her old-money father in a small Rhode island coastal town, has always been told that her mother abandoned them. But then Anne learns that she has a half- sister, Maria Cristina --and when Maria Cristina comes to live with Anne and her father, ugly truths begin to surface about the family. Within a context of jazz, the end of Prohibition, and stifling gender expectations, Daughter of Providence is a gripping and seductive summer read. this story of loss and rediscovery will resonate with readers long after the final page.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Drama

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 2011

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Im torn on my star rating...

Let's start with what I didnt like. I did NOT like the geography of this story. (I live in RI) Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US, is it too hard to dig up a map and figure where your fictional town is situated relative to any actual places you want to include? There is absolutely no way fictional South County Town Milford could have been located *on* Narragansett Bay, *on* the "salt ponds", *very close to* Point Judith Light, *on* Misquamicut River (which doesnt exist, but Misquamicut does, so Im basing on that location) and be a half hour from Narragansett Pier (which is about 5-10 min from Pt. J Light, even in a 1930's car). The terrible geography was very jarring and distracting from an otherwise good story. I kept placing Milford not far from Westerly based on much of it, but then references to Pt Jude Light and Narragansett Bay jerked me east... strange and sort of unforgivable in such a small state - a look at a map could have easily led to a more stable location for even a fictional town. Read the author's notes at the end and found it telling that there were no mentions of people helping her with RI stuff...

So, what did I like? I really quite liked the snapshot of a town on the cusp of the end of the depression, desperately trying to come out of a bad stretch. I liked the tension between the pro-union and labor "bosses" - some of the dialogue was written quite well, and I could see both sides easily. I liked the tension between the immigrants and the "true Americans".... The whole storyline was a very good snapshot of a very difficult period. Anne's difficulty with expectations vs. her own desires was done well, especially since that's not really an issue for women in today's society - even if I didn't exactly like her resolution, and I saw at least part of her outcome from a mile away... She was a likeable character, which is more than I can say for some books Ive read recently.

Unfortunately, very little of that stuff got resolved. Of course, the story wasnt about immigrants or union busting, so I suppose I can forgive that - that stuff was happening at the time the main story (of Anne and her sister) was happening. I didnt expect the twist at the end, and the resolution of Anne's story was surprising....

I want to give it more stars, but man did the geography bug me!

[Anne McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh well. I really wanted to like this book because of the setting - RI where I live - the history, and the family situations. Even in spite of literary license in local interest, some things don't quite jive. I was a bit confused in the beginning of the book who the focus of the book would be - the Maria Christina or her older sister Anne. Anne Dodge, a young college educated woman in the 30's is portrayed as rather limply struggling to come to terms with many things in her life, her heritage of old Yankee stock and her mother being of a poor Portuguese family and other personal relationships. Not sure she got her point across about ethnic issues and prejudice - she didn't do much to salvage the denigration of Portuguese culture by the father. The Portuguese, French, Irish and Italians have a rich history in the small town of West Warwick which she names accurately after making up other towns names. Notes about the author's research would have been interesting.

[Donna Lundy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this book 3½ stars. I just wish that it had not revealed the ending at the start of the book! There were certain parts of the story I would have liked to have been developed more. . .I can't say which without giving away important story elements. I didn't understand why the father disliked Portuguese people so much, even though he had married a Portuguese woman. I felt like the story did not really flow well, at times, it seemed to jump from one plot point to another without smooth transitions. Maybe the author did that intentionally, but it made the story feel disjointed to me. In spite of all that, I did like the book. This was my first by this author. I don't know if she has written others, but I'd give her another try.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is hard to rate this book. The story was compelling with references to prejudice between nationalities, the role, and expectations of women at the time, and the rise of labor unions. Families played an integral part in the storyline. BUT this is not the book to read if you are looking for a 'happily ever after' story. I am not sure if this is the reason I was having a difficult time writing the review. I did not like the main character and liked her less as the story progressed.

[Kate Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I agree with other Rhode Islanders frustration about the mishmash of RI places, but I tried to suspend that and enjoy the story. And I did. The author touched on a lot of issues without beleaguering them, and I didn’t mind the lack of resolution. It was messy and complicated and unfinished - like life.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sad book. Not the saddest I have ever read, but still a sad book

[Patricia O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dodge family was among the first to settle in Rhode Island back when it was a colony and now, in 1934, they are among one of the most respected families in the seaside town of Milford. But there are secrets in the Dodge family that are too unseemly to discuss such as why Samuel Dodge’s Portuguese wife left him and her young daughter, Anne, fifteen years ago and why, after all this time, Anne’s half-sister, Maria Cristina, has come to live with the Dodges. But Anne, both discomfited and emboldened by Maria Cristiana, is no longer afraid to ask questions even though she knows that their answers will challenge everything she’s been raised to believe about her family.

This is a beautifully-written novel rich with descriptive scenes of New England and well-drawn characters who illustrate the clash of cultures and classes at the height of the labor movement there. Like the hot summer in which it takes place, the story begins in a deliciously languid manner, allowing the reader to enjoy getting to know each character and his back story. But then, as summer turns into hurricane season, the narrative becomes stormy and unpredictable. At this point I could not put the book down. The story ends with a peaceful epilogue that serves to clear away lingering questions about the events of that summer and how they destroyed the Dodge family. Highly recommended.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've labeled this "historical novel" because of the time period. I think the author did a good job of capturing the tensions of 1934. I've labeled it airplane reading because you don't have to think very hard to keep up with it, and it will keep you entertained. There are sections that are melodramatic, like a made for TV movie. As long as you are not expecting great depth, but just to be entertained, then this is a readable book. It's a first novel, with all the contrivances that many first novels have.

I live in Rhode Island, and while I think the author did capture some of the flavor, she missed a lot. I can forgive her for placing a her town of Milford in what is basically a made-up geography (based on the landmarks she gives), but her New England Yankee vs immigrant family is a little too stereotypical. I saw no acknowledgments that she had ever lived (or even visited) RI, so I'm curious as to how she came by her knowledge.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction based in RI - how could I resist. What I found was a compelling story set in the 30's when Ana and her father take up the care of Ana's sister by the mother who deserted them. Ana's father is a mill owner trying to revive his mill amidst early attempts to unionize. But this is basically a story about "others". Other nationalities, other religions, other classes of people and the bad decisions that the characters make based on their prejudices. Maria Christina, the lost sister gets caught up in all of these prejudices ultimately opening old wounds and dark secrets.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book- it was a quick read that had many layers to it. Like many of the other reviews stated, it was hard to put down. It is a story that takes place in 1934 told in first person by the main character, Annie, and how her life, as well as many others, were affected by a series of lies she discovers when her half sister comes to live with her and her father. Another plus, Julie Drew teaches at The University of Akron!

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1.2 Story set in Rhode Island in the 1930's. Her mother having left her when she was young, Annie finds out and takes in a younger sister who she believes is her half sister. Her father is not to thrilled, because the younger sister looks just like the wife who left him. Many secrets are revealed and everyone in the family is changed forever.

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a slow start but is worth reading especially if you are from New England ~ more so if you are from RI as I am. Author went to great efforts to catch the sense of coastal Rhode Island living ~ how important the fishing and mill industries were in the 30s. I had a hard time believing that she wasn't a 'native' Rhode Islander!

[Camandwmm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story that took place in 1934 of a failed mill with the hopes of reopening. Anne is a 24 year old girl that welcomes her half sister of 13 into their home with the father. The girls become very close but the father does not accept the younger daughter. It was a heart felt story, but not a light read.

[Rosanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughter of Providence is a great quick "summer read". The characters were well developed in the story line, nice twists & turns, keeps the reader

interested!! I could not put this one down!! Very enjoyable.

[Ellen Mandly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars, however the read gets a giant thumbs down for the WORST Portuguese accent ever! It was a cross between Spanish and Italian with a feta topping! The story was just ok, only the RI location kept me from giving up.

[Margo Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting novel about family ties and secrets, prejudice and need. Set in 1930s Rhode Island this novel explores the plight of mill towns during the depression and the prejudice that keeps even the closest of people too far apart.

[Alisonleonard1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow at first, but worth the read!

[Janey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took a lot of breaks reading this book. I had a hard time getting in to it. It ended up being okay.

[Mary Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK. The book was mildly entertaining but ultimately predictable.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very tragic story.

[Shirley Lally · Rating 4 out of 5]

It managed to incorporate a lot of Rhode Island ambiance and history into a Family story.

[Beth Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well told story of post depression Rhode Island. The book includes many threads; Union vs. struggling company, Catholic vs. Protestant, Portuguese vs. English, and with a death or two thrown in.

[Marie Staubitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending was depressing

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book does a good job of making us realize there is no absolute good or bad and it is all wrapped up together. A small glimpse into labor unions in the 30's

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every page of this.