Bittersweet, captivating; an extraordinary achievement.
Set in Cape Cod in 1956, Peck’s latest novel explores love and conflict within a family, portrayed through the eyes of a twelve-year-old child. Every summer, Lily Grainger’s family embarks on a pilgrimage to the quaint shores of Cape Cod, where her Uncle George and his posh family reside. But this year, tensions are brewing beneath the surface. Lily’s father is determined to build a grandiose beach house that will outshine his brother’s, even if it means sacrificing their financial stability. Her mother, a once-vibrant pianist, now loses herself in endless hours of playing, trapped in her own internal struggles. Lily’s older sister and cousin vie for attention while Aunt Fanny, Uncle George’s wife, drifts through life in a daze. Uncle George is always ready with a jab at his brother and Gloria, Uncle George’s close friend, tries to keep the peace amid the constant turmoil. Through the innocence of childhood, Lily navigates these complex relationships, practicing cello in preparation for a local talent show, seeking solace in music amidst the tumultuous world around her. Through the innocent eyes of a young child who longs for nothing but tranquility and stability of a home, the reader bears witness to the turbulent emotional storms swirling within the adults, their struggles made all the more piercing by their facade of maturity. Peck’s characters are intricately layered and relatable in their imperfections and virtues, constantly grappling with their own personal demons and each other as they strive for connection and understanding. The author combines small, fleeting moments to build an overarching impression and story, and her lyrical prose is shot through with vibrant images, as here, where Lily describes the quick passing of time in Cape Cod: “If you thought of summer as the trajectory of one of Digory’s boomerangs, then the beginning of August was the turn-around point, when the momentum was no longer carrying us farther out into vacation, but back towards New Jersey and school. Midsummer.” This novel traverses a range of emotions, from heartbreak to despair to warmth. What ties it all together is the delicate attention that Peck has given to her characters’ interpersonal dynamic. And amidst the emotional turmoil, the vast natural landscape of Cape Cod provides a tranquil backdrop for the human drama taking place within its boundaries—a peaceful counterpoint to the tumultuous inner thoughts and feelings of the characters. This deeply felt tale of love, marriage, relationships, and familial ties is a triumph.
Water Music: A Cape Cod Story
Marcia Peck
Sea Crow Press
Pub date May 5, 2023
ISBN 979-8986567686
Price $19.95 (USD) Paperback, $2,99 Kindle edition
