American small town life, teeming with immigrants supported by the local mine. We follow five siblings as they grow away from, and return to, their roots during the boom post World War II years. Then comes Vietnam. Through births and deaths, tragedy and success we follow the American dream in an intimate family saga. I loved it. Comparison: Anne Tyler, Elinor Lipman, Carol Shields. Similar this month: Adriana Trigiani, Penny Sumner.
Bakerton is a community of company houses and church festivals, union squabbles and firemen's parades. Its ball club leads the coal company leagues. Its neighbourhoods include Little Italy, Swedetown and Polish Hill. For its tight-knit citizens - and the five children of the Novak family - the 1940s will be a decade of tragedy, excitement and stunning change. Both a family saga and a love letter to a time and place long past, Baker Towers is a feat of imagination from a writer of enormous power and skill.
