Book two, of the St. Simons Trilogy was just as compelling as book one, Lighthouse. Whereas Lighthouse centered on the maturation of James Gould, in New Moon Rising the central character is Horace Gould, James’ son. Some of the supporting characters are: two strong, female characters that of Mary, the sister of Horace and Deborah, who become the wife of Horace. James Gould is also a supporting character, although a rather static type of character. James, Horace Gould’s older brother periodically appears throughout the end of part four. James is a sad, tragic character. At the very end of part four, James hits his lowest point, but with that is more than willing to sell Horace the Black Banks plantation, which he never love or was invested in. At first, Horace sees no way for him to purchase the plantation on his own terms, but with the prayers of Deborah, God’s work in Horace’s heart, and the inheritance bequeathed to Deborah, Black Banks is purchased. With the purchase, Jim leaves to start a new life in Texas and the book records nothing more of him. Part five details the struggles of the Gould family, and St. Simons island during the war years. Sorrow and struggles were noted throughout the book by individuals, but part five showed very starkly, the privations experienced by the Gould family, St. Simons Island, and the country during the war years. Price didn’t write a Hollywood tale, but gripping and gritty one.
Horace turns into such an interesting person, full of integrity, humbleness, and love for God, but at the beginning he is idealistic, immature, stuck on himself with buckets filled with pride. He just doesn’t know how to live in his own skin. So, he runs from his family, responsibility, and tries to find himself by checking out different personas, but just like the prodigal’s son, he finally returns home. He still has a long way to go, but between his father, his sister, and especially Deborah his wife, who keeps him in her prayers, he begins to blossom. What this family and all the islanders went through during the war was gripping. This was a Cinderella story in reverse, riches to poverty and rags. This family doesn’t wallow in despair, but continues to trust in the Lord. Horace after the war learned to live his life for His God and His Family. The Great “Yale man” learned to go fishing for the families dinner. He learned to be CONTENT. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure I would like the book because of Horace, but this was a good story based on real people.