When Maples Turn Red: Growing Up in the Adirondacks

by Richard King

Set in the Adirondack Mountains of up-state New York following WWII, the story focuses on the family and life of James Coulbron from adolescence to young adulthood. He is the fourth generation Coulbron to inhabit the area. Despite having been molested and mentally abused by his psychologically-weak mother, Lillian, he is strongly attached to his father, who provides love, nurturing, and a sense of stability. He learns about the life of his forefathers on their land, and develops a great pride in his heritage. Stark reality arrives with his father's sudden death and Lillian's increasingly psychotic episodes. She invites her long-time lover to move in with them, and Jimmy learns that this man, a Mohawk Indian, is actually his biological father. Stunned and wounded, Jimmy realizes that he has not only lost his beloved father, but he is not a Coulbron, and his heritage no longer ties him to the land he loves. When Lillian's condition deteriorates, she is incarcerated in an asylum, and young Jimmy must learn to live with his biological father. As the story unfolds, the strength of his character is repeatedly tested, and ultimately, a new sense of heritage is formed.

432 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Richard King is the Founder & CEO at Product Marketing Alliance, the number one product marketing community. In just two years, the PMA has grown to 60,000+ members, boasting multiple accredited certifications and partnering with renowned brands like Microsoft, TikTok, Salesforce, Gong, Intuit, and Google.

Reviews

[Suzanne Andrews · Rating 1 out of 5]

i read half of this book and decided not to waste any more time on it. it's written sophomorically - dialog between the characters uses their names in every sentence - overkill and irritating. The main character Jimmy is too perfect and much too accepting of his new father too soon in the story. the only reason i stuck with it as long as i have is because it is set in and around Dannemora where i grew up.

[Dee Moris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to care more but didn't find the story realistic - one page he hates his dad, the next they are best friends.