Bought from the annual Friends of the Library Book Sale in San Luis Obispo today.

One of Shreve's better novels.

Honora and her new husband move into an older house by the sea. Full of hope for her future, Honora industriously works on the house, which the couple is buying. Her husband, Sexton, is not of the same character. He is a traveling salesman who sells typewriters. For a while, Honora travels with him, demonstrating the typewriters, helping with the sales.

Sexton is less interested in working on the house, more interested in pursuing his dreams of more money, better cars. When he falls on harder times he does not adjust well, finally finding a job in the nearby city. But the workers at the loom factory are striking.

Honora becomes involved in the town's conflict, in the process meeting men and women and a boy, Alphonse, who seems to be on his own. She is impressed with McDermott, a man with his own burdens, and she, along with a rich neighbor, takes risks.

A lot of character development here, and I became fond of Honora and McDermott and Alphonse. Shreve avoids a sappy story or perfect resolution, which I appreciate.

Inside the box.