Liz Gauffreau is a master of historical fiction. And rather than creating a series (so far), she has written completely different books with different historical settings. I loved Telling Sonny, and now I love The Weight of Snow and Regret.
Here is my review of the latter. At the end I’ll share with you how you can purchase the book!
***
Elizabeth Gauffreau’s new novel, The Weight of Snow and Regret, is a tribute to the residents of the Sheldon Poor Farm in Sheldon Springs, Vermont, as well as testament to the harsh lives of society’s disadvantaged. The novel takes place in 1967-68, the last year of the tenure of the poorhouse. But the plight of the poor and culture-rocking events of that year resonate with familiarity with contemporary readers.
The first part of the story weaves in the life of Louisianian Claire and how she falls from her place in middle-class society to living in the poorhouse far from home. In this way, the reader is drawn into the novel through the perspective of this mysterious woman, then the reader is delivered into the capable hands of Hazel, a sympathetic foster child grown into a compassionate woman who now runs the home itself while her husband manages the associated farm. Through Hazel’s kindness and perspective, we meet the other residents of the poorhouse.
The place hasn’t always been run as Hazel manages it. Before her hard work, dedication, and home management skills, the neglect was extreme. Every surface was filthy, with trash strewn about. The residents’ clothing was in desperate need of laundering. In fact, Hazel believes that the men’s underwear had never been cleaned. Hazel cleans the home immaculately, creates wholesome meals with a tiny budget, and gives the residents the care and understanding that they need.
These residents range from the forgotten elderly to the mentally ill to those with intellectual disabilities. Although they respond differently to events, and their interactions with each other can be fraught, Gauffreau’s exploration of their behavior and treatment rings true. One twist is that Hazel herself lived in this poorhouse at one time. A couple of the residents from her childhood time at the shelter are still living there when Hazel takes over. This feels like a gut punch to her to think of them still living in the conditions she and her family had undergone.
Gauffreau meticulously researched the history of the home, poor farm life in the sixties and before, the blues music that spoke to Claire’s troubled and depressed soul, the national and world headlines of the time, and local history. Her painstaking implementation of her research with her compassionate feel for the characters, and her excellent storytelling senses makes this an engrossing read. I read far into the night, without being able to put down the book.
***
Help Meals on Wheels!
Purchase the paperback from the publisher, and $5.00 of the purchase price will be donated to AgeWell Meals on wheels of Franklin County, Vermont.
This is a beautiful and heartfelt review, Luanne. Thank you. I love how you highlighted Liz’s compassion for the characters’ plight and the social milieu of that time in history. Great share.
Oh, thanks, Suzette! Really appreciate your kind words. Going to look for your blog . . . .
You are most welcome Luanne. Have a lovely day!
You too!
Thank you, Luanne.
Thank you very much, Suzette!
You are most welcome, Liz.
Sounds like a very interesting book!
It’s really fascinating. And just one of my favorite things is that I felt I was right there with Hazel performing those farmhouse chores that I’ve never had to do–with a very limited budget. I felt like I was back with my ancestors working the farm!
Thank you, Kate!
Thanks, Luanne, for your enticing book review. The Weight of Snow and Regret is now on my “to read” list (thanks to you).
Oh, great, Elaine! I know you’ll love it!!! Hope all is well with you!
Thank you very much, Elaine! I hope you enjoy the read.
What a wonderful review , Luanne, of Elizabeth’s heartwrenching book. It’s on my kindle waiting for its turn to be read. Sounds like a perfect winter read.
Deborah, I think you’re really going to love it. Liz’s careful research is such a great addition to her books because there is nothing “fuzzy” about anything, if that makes sense. I felt as if I was right there with Claire and Hazel.
Thank you very much, Deborah! I hope when the book’s turn comes, you will enjoy it.
A terrific review, Luanne. Congratulations to Liz.
Thank you, John! She deserves a big congratulations!
Thank you, John!
I think this sounds really good.
Anneli, it is so good. And unique, too. It’s not just a sad story about what happens to the downtrodden, but shows how someone can stay strong and overcome and serve others.
Wonderful. Congrats to Liz!
Thank you, Anneli!
I’ve just added it to my Kindle. Thanks, Liz. I look forward to a good read.
Thank you very much, Anneli! I hope you enjoy the read!!
I’m sure I will, Liz.
I’ve started your book, Liz, and am loving it!
I’m so glad, Anneli! Thank you very much for letting me know!!
You’ve done a great job of letting us get to know the characters without telling us what they’re like. We can SEE it from what they say and do.
Thanks! I had an excellent teacher.
A wonderful review, Luanne. I have Liz’s book, and I’m going to read it soon. I’m pleased you found it so well-written and interesting as I expected it to be.
You’re going to love it! The personalization of history is so well done! P.S. I sent you an email a few minutes ago about your new book.
Thank you very much, Luanne! My aim was to make the characters real so readers would care about them and, by extension, care about people in similar circumstances today.
You did it!
Hurray!!
I’m certain I will love it!
Thank you, Merril!
You’re welcome, Liz!
Thank you so much for the glowing review, Luanne! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. Saturday, I had my in-person book launch at the Sheldon Historical Society. Some of my high school classmates were in attendance, and some people came because they thought very highly of my parents. Thank you for posting the link for donating to Age Well! I greatly appreciate it
Oh, what a wonderful launch!!!!!!
Yes, it was. Pretty overwhelming, actually!
A fine review of an important book
Thank you so much, Derrick! Yes, it is such an important read.
Wonderful review! You did such an awesome job with this!!! You really feel the ‘weight’ of this book as you presented this review.
I love word play! Hahaha. Thank you, Linda!!!
That’s a very compelling review, Luanne. Liz is an excellent writer, of course.😊
She is such a wonderful writer! Thanks so much, Eilene!