Dive into a coming-of-age, a thriller, above all a story of redemption and hope in Eleanor's Song. Inspired by true events and set amid the backdrop of the Great Depression, World War II, and the western migration, Eleanor Owens learns lessons about the ties that make a family strong, how to endure, and about her own resolve.
Field brings forth an historical tale of family, trauma, love, and determination in the Pacific Northwest in the era of the Depression, the second World War, and beyond. With little to her name in a time of great hardship, young Eleanor Owens, an orphan, learns what it’s like to be poor and unwanted. We watch as she grows into a teenager, living with her grandmother but suffering tragedy after tragedy in her personal life. Although her mind is set on her future from a young age, especially the promise of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps whose posters she keeps seeing, life and circumstances often get in the way of those dreams. Eleanor’s negotiation of these challenges is the heart of this captivating novel. The power of this story will capture readers’ hearts from the first pages. Field weaves lively historical detail throughout, capturing the textures of life, as Eleanor and her friend Janice get caught up in changing fashions and times: “when I get enough money, I want one of those dresses that shows girls’ knee,” Janice boldly declares, while Eleanor’s excited for shoulder pads. Eleanor’s growth is compelling and crisply told, from her tender yet naive youth to the strength and unwavering determination with which she’ll eventually protect herself and the ones she loves. This warm, relatable story will enfold readers of women’s and historical fiction, as it showcases, with wisdom and grace, a child blossoming into an adult and all the heartaches and joys that come with it.
Field’s careful dedication to what the world felt like amid these tumultuous events, including war-time scarcity and tension, gives everyday moments great resonance, but as Eleanor overcomes disappointments and starts a family of her own the detail never comes at the expense of narrative or emotional urgency. The prose sings, and Field offers welcome insight into life’s most vulnerable moments. Historical fiction readers will find this compelling novel of growth and perseverance one to treasure.
Takeaway: Moving story of a young woman’s maturation during the second World War.
Comparable Titles: Jojo Moyes’s The Giver of Stars, Kristina McMorris’s Sold on a Monday.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
"Such power ... captured so much in a realistic and loved character."
"The novel displays great flair for description, particularly of nature, and the portrayal of poor, rural America in the first half of the century is more than convincing ... Your storytelling makes for enjoyable reading."
"Dialogue is brilliant and convincing ... had me on the edge of my chair ..."
Announcing ... Eleanor's Song cover reveal.See the beautiful cover of this historical novel. It was designed by Gwen Patch, a graphics professional. In the background of the front cover, is a peak in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. Sunflowers grow in that region's plateaus and fertile valleys--where Eleanor lived--while lupines grow wild in the foothills.
