A well defined portrait of reawakening artistically, politically and sexually in the tumultuous sixties.
Alex is a gifted, 15 and the illegitimate child of an alcoholic author and an artist. She has always wanted to belong, to have a family and falls for a photographer twelve years her senior who she will replace by the charismatic Ted Neal. Ted is an New Left activist with interests in the anti war movement and as their life together evolves amidst the highs and lows of fighting for a cause, change is on the horizon. Ted is wanted by the FBI and disappears, the year is 1971. Alex’s journey and coming of age is about change both personal and political, love, allegiance, loss and the price one has to pay to put their life back together.
The year, 1981. Alex is a photography professor, enter Ted. Will this reconnecting be a reawakening for Alex? Will she learn about the true, unconditional meaning of what it’s like to be a family?
I couldn’t help but think about the songs of Dylan, Mitchell and CSN&Y while reading this engrossing novel. Lee Zacharias delivers action, emotion and humanity in this highly recommended read.
Thank you NetGalley, Lee ZachRias and Madville Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.