Cascade

Author:  Maryanne O'Hara
Published by:  Viking Adult
Age Recommended:  Adult

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5

Review:

"Cascade" by Maryanne O'Hare was well written historical fiction setting was  from the Boston suburb of Cascade around 1930-40's where  "Cascade" is about big change, ambition, mystery, hope, mortality, tradition, a wrong marriage, the possibility of passion, and the cost of pursuing what most matters."  I found this novel has a slow beginning but as you get further into this read it does pick up. You will also find that this is a long read, however there is a reason for it...for in your reading it all will be explained to what is going on in the mind of
Desdemona.  We find that Desdemona(Dez) Hart Spaulding has stopped her career in New York in Art  to take care of her dying father...gets married...and she wants to devote her life in  the theater in town.  This was the time of the 'Great Depression' had struck and her father had lost everything except the playhouse.  Her father dies(two months after Dez's wedding) leaving her a secret that was in 'Portia's casket' not to be open until the Playhouse reopened. What was up with that?  To find out you will have to pick up "Cascade" to see what was in Dez's fathers mind at that time.

Desdemona now realizes she is in a loveless marriage.  Her husband, Asa Spaulding was a hard working pharmacist, but not one for passion and he had no eye for art which his wife had a deep passion for. What will come of this?  The town of Cascade is  in the 'in the running to be destroyed so that it can become a reservoir for Boston.' Now, what would happen to the playhouse that had been willed to Asa or their first born?  What was up with Dez being so consumed with herself  and her wants?  Dez was a complex heroine that kept this novel moving really giving the reader a lots to think about...'Cascade postcards.'  I did realize that this was not a fast pace read but a slower pace one that was needed in order to absorb this detail oriented artistic realism of Dez. As time passed, Dez has fallen in love with a Jewish painter(Jacob). Was he  a artist ready, willing and able to free her?  From the read we find Dez doesn't want any children and their is a definitely envy  of her friend Abby who was free to go and do as she pleased.  Truly Art is her everything. She loved her art ... in her studio... paints putting in all on canvas.  Now, this novel is really taking off and this is where I say you must pick up "Cascade" to see how this author will take you on  a ride through this read. It really gets even more interesting with a few more people. The characters were all well developed keeping you turning the pages to see what would happen next because there will be twist and turns.  In the end you do get answers about the 'Portia Casket' and all I will say of that is Wow!

"Cascade" was a very intriguing read of a small towns 'life during the Great Depression, a artist struggle and in the end was it all worth it?    Would I recommend as a excellent read?  YES!