The Cape Ann: A Novel

by Faith Sullivan

Lark Erhardt, the six-year-old narrator of The Cape Ann, and her fiercely independent mother dream of owning their own house; they have their hearts set on the Cape Ann, chosen from a house catalog. But when Lark’s father’s gambling threatens the down payment her mother has worked so hard to save, Lark’s mother takes matters into her own indomitable hands. A disarmingly involving portrait of a family struggling to stay together through the Great Depression, The Cape Ann is an unforgettable story of life from a child’s-eye view. 


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Book Club, Coming Of Age, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Historical

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Faith Sullivan was born and raised in southern Minnesota. Married to drama critic Dan Sullivan, she lived twenty-some years in New York and Los Angeles, returning to Minnesota often to keep her roots planted in the prairie. She is the author of Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse (2015), Gardenias (2005), What a Woman Must Do (2002), The Empress of One (1997), The Cape Ann (1988), Mrs. Demming and The Mythical Beast (1986), Watchdog (1982) and Repent, Lanny Merkel (1981). A “demon gardener, flea marketer, and feeder of birds,” Sullivan lives in Minneapolis with her husband. They have three grown children.

She is the winner of the Midwest Book Award, the Langum Prize for Historical Fiction, the Milkweed National Fiction Prize and the Ben Franklin Prize, and is a Minnesota Book Award Finalist.

Reviews

[Diane Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this about 20 years ago on a recommendation from a friend. I loved it then, and decided to read it again after reading "Goodnight, Mr. Wodehouse", by the same author, and realizing that many of the characters from The Cape Ann were in that book as well.

This novel is written from the perspective of a 6 yr. old girl. She is not funny or precocious, just a normal child who sees the world, her parents, and their marriage through the eyes of innocence and wonder. She takes everything she hears very literally, which causes lots of questions and stress. Who catches the babies when the stork flies them in? Why does God demand both love and fear? How will she ever survive her first communion and confession? She keeps a list of sins, and already has 336 to tell the priest about. The time period is during the depression, in the Minnesota town of Harvester. By turns, funny, sad, and sometimes scary, this is a great story of people trying to make their lives better. Lark's mother, Arlene, gets my vote for literary mother of the year.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

Step into 6-year-old Lark Erhardt's world for a while and meet her parents, Arlene and Willie, her friends, her extended family and the townspeople of Harvester, Minnesota at the end of the depression in the late 1930's. Sullivan paints such a vivid picture of small town Midwest America told through Lark's eyes that you feel you know these people, their day-to-day lives, their strengths and foibles and their concerns, large and small, and that you are somehow a part of their community.

I love Sullivan's writing! She creates a few story lines that she carries through the book to propel you along with Lark's story. She pretty much nails the mind of a 6-8 year-old. Lark is studying catechism for her first confession and first communion. She is instructed to keep a list of sins to confess and she has a book with literally hundreds of sins listed as she constantly dithers about what is a sin. Her certainty that storks bring babies is both funny and tragic. She finds an unmailed letter from a "hobo", Earl Samson, and his story takes on a life of its own in Lark's mind. Sullivan also knows small town life where everybody seems to know everyone's business and everybody's greatest fear is that people will find out about their business! I grew up in a rural area in the 1950's and except that the depression and WWII loomed in the background of this story, she could have been writing about my town.

The people and story lines Sullivan tells about are touching, funny, poignant, dispiriting and ultimately optimistic.

When Lark is distraught about an upcoming change in her life, her friend Mrs. Stillman tells her: "We have to be ready for the adventures life throws down in our path. Everything difficult or painful that we can do with a merry heart gives us . . . " She searched for the word. Squaring her shoulders a little, she pronounced, "style".

When the chips are down and things seem bleak (as they do many times in this story), Lark would hear her Mom say "I'll think of something" . . . and she always does.

Words to live by!

I was so sad to see this book end that I dragged my feet through the last 15 pages. The good news is there's more! I learned about this book because of Sullivan's Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse: A Novel, a notable book of 2015. It tells the story of Mrs. Stillman and her son Hilly, both characters in this book. I'm eager to read it!

[Charlene Intriago · Rating 4 out of 5]

A six year old is our storyteller here - and Lark Erhardt sometimes sounds a little older than her years. That might have been my only issue with this book, but Lark is an only child, used to interacting with lots of adults, and some of that adult way of speaking and thinking has rubbed off on her! I loved the setting - the little town of Harvester, Minnesota - small and quaint with everyone knowing everyone else - this can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. There's lots of family issues in this book - but what family doesn't have issues - especially in dealing with the Depression. Definitely hard times. There's a little religion in here too since Lark has started some religion classes. And the reader is definitely going to have some strong feelings about Lark's parents. I wasn't too sure what to make of her dad. Great discussion book for my book group.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad finally to have read this book, which was the go-to suggestion for teen girls from one of my first Readers' Advisory team members--she also required all shelvers to have read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. And this has many of the same appeals as that classic. Narrated by a young girl--though she has very advanced insights for her age and that kept striking me--it relates the perils of growing up in a family plagued by disagreements and disappointments, but she proves strong enough to survive. Here the setting is a small western Minnesota town; Lark's father is the RR station agent and their apartment is tacked on to the station. It's the 1930s (through 1941 after war is declared), and the Depression weighs heavily on characters and town. The title refers to the dream house Lark and her mother want some day to have, but their dream--along the family's savings--is always dashed by her father's gambling debts. This is a story of relationships between the parents and with their daughter, extended family, friends, and fellow townspeople. While it's gentle in terms of sex and language, there are certainly issues addressed, most poignantly the treatment of a shell-shocked WWI vet. There's a lot to like here, but it seems rather old-fashioned in comparison to more recent coming-of-age novels that reflect diverse characters and their issues. Her father is abusive--he hits her and emotionally abuses her--but her situation seems very tame in comparison to novels like Sing, Unburied, Sing and so many others. Poignant and nostalgic, written in polished prose, engaging protagonist, issue-oriented, open-ended, rich in historical details and a strong sense of place. An evocative look back at troubled times.

[Julie Durnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars So many emotions with the characters in this book. I could feel empathy, happiness, anger, and dismay with Lark, her parents, family and friends. I generally like coming of age or a young person's point of view, and while I didn't dislike this, it wouldn't be a favorite. I also felt the ending wasn't satisfactory.

[Cece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this interesting book in a second hand bookstore as the cover and description was intriguing. This easily compares to To Kill A Mockingbird and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn having a young girl who is the voice of the book. It was a difficult time in history and that is the backdrop of the story. Life as seen and heard from a young girl named Lark(just love that name y’all) on the years after the Great Depression. Her father has a problem with gambling but requires perfection from his daughter. Her mother tries to keep their place (a room attached to the train depot) a home . Lark and her mother dream and hope to live in a real nice house someday and often look at their favorite house plan book. The Cape Ann, #127 with 3 bedrooms , a breakfast nook and a dormer window upstairs that would be perfect for Lark to watch life go by on the town below. Friends and family relationships are often strained during difficult times and this novel explores many of those. Shines a light on different class levels, and their own kind of problems. Since the setting is in the north , many families were catholic and their religion was also important piece of the family. At times I felt this part was a little too pressing but remembering from a child’s point of view- it’s hard to grasp and understand many things including religion at such a young age. Hopes and dreams and what ifs can offer us a brighter future or keeps us living in a non reality. What we do with those hopes is how we live our lives. I’m glad I came across this one and have seen there are maybe 3 in this series. I will check out the second one for sure .

[Pamela Pickering · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to enjoy coming of age novels so it wasn't a surprise that I enjoyed this one. Although I thought the author made the main character's voice more mature than a 5-6 year old, I really enjoyed the picture she painted of life in the late 1930s. Sadly, I wonder if it wasn't similar to the childhood my mom may have had (family strife). Good story telling. I am looking forward to the sequel "Gardenias".

[Suanne Laqueur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't quite say why, but this is possibly one of the most wonderful books I've ever read. I loved every chapter, every paragraph and every word. Fantastic, unforgettable characters in Lark and her mother. The six-year-old point of view was delightful.

HIGHLY recommend and I'll be reading more by this author.

[Terris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved listening to the story, told by young Lark Erhardt, of growing up in Minnesota with her mother and father, and learning about life. Lark is just starting kindergarten when the book begins and is in fifth grade by the end. She goes through quite a few ups and downs during that time. She experiences many good and happy times, and also some sad times, learning from every situation. But it is also interesting to hear how her young mind tries to understand life, and about how adults work out what is right and wrong (wouldn't we all like to know that?!).

I enjoyed this one a lot! The writing and descriptions were wonderful, and I felt like I was there with Lark and her family during the deep snows of Minnesota and their summer picnics with friends and family. I would definitely read this author again!

[Mo Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. I loved all the characters and they all have very distinct voices in my head as the author did great at establishing them. My fave voice has to be the way that Beverly says "Godsakes." It's adorable in my brain.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith Sullivan's The Cape Ann" is a rich tapestry of characters, plot, and genuine emotion. The novel is written from the perspective of little Lark Erhardt, and Sullivan writes believably in this character throughout the novel. Your heart will ache for the members of the sleepy Minnesota town. In particular, you will feel for Hilly, war hero whose shell shock leaves him mentally damaged but whose heart remains intact, as he struggles to please all around him.

"The Cape Ann" invokes intense emotion without being sentimental or sappy. It is a true and honest portrayal of life at the start of World War II through the astute eyes of a six year old girl and her strong mother who are wishing for a house in the style of a Cape Ann, while spending life living in a train station with a father who keeps gambling away their money.

A very good story.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled a bit with the 6 year old narrator as she sounded to mature for her age. I was heartened by her mothers courage and always doing the right thing. Saddened by her fathers rough treatment of 6 year old Lark. Beating her for biting her fingernails??? Because the didn't look pretty like a lady's fingernails should???!!! I just could never reconcile myself to Willies behavior. It annoyed me to experience his ignorance through the eyes of his daughter. The ending had a good vibe.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed discovering Faith Sullivan’s characters. Once again, Harvester is portrayed as a small town but now seen through the eyes of a small child named Lark. Lark is a keen observer of the adults in her circle and struggles to make sense of those around her.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another library book giveaway find, but this one I picked up just based on the cover alone. Something about it looked promising, and it was a decent read. A heavy story told from a child's point of view with heaps of tragedy and unhappiness. The story illuminates the life of a family just barely holding itself together, primarily through the strength and determination of the mother, who is a heroic figure, making the best out of what she has been dealt. The writing felt pretty simple, in keeping with the narrator, who is young and extremely earnest, but it is effective at showing the reader more than what the narrator understands. I had misgivings from time to time about whether the book would end up going somewhere, but the last hundred pages or so picked up and drove the story home well enough for my taste, and I truly was interested in seeing how it would end. Feels like a pretty random book to have read, but I'm okay with that!

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Really enjoyable story but frankly too much religion for me. I kept wondering if we were supposed to believe 6-year-old Lark was the narrator or if we could assume an adult Lark was remembering. Certainly a very precocious child, if the former. I find it hard to believe a 6-year-old in small town Minnesota knew what a professor was, enough to say she wants to be one.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread after many years - I still really loved it!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Insightful. Told from the point of view of a young girl living in Minnesota. Funny and worth the read.

[Suzanne Penna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a great read! The author does a great job at telling the story from Lark’s point of view while still allowing the reader to get a full understanding of what’s happening.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago and remember loving it. But I don’t remember it being so sad!

[Melanie Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story throughout. But hated the ending.

[Bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rushed to read this book after reading Goodnight Mr. Wodehouse which is also by the same author. Both of these books are set in the fictional town of Harvester in Minnesota. Many of the same characters can be found in both books. The Cape Ann was copyrighted in 1988 and covers a period of approximately 2 years while Goodnight Mr. Wodehouse, published in 2015 moved the story along to 1961 and covers several decades. Each book can be read independently; Goodnight Mr. Wodehouse focused on Nell Stillman and her son Hillyard while The Cape Ann focused on Arlene Erhardt and her daughter, Lark. I love both books. Sullivan's writing is fantastic. I highly recommend these books; great for book clubs too.

In The Cape Ann, Arlene lives at the train depot with her daughter and husband. This was supposed to be a temporary measure while they save for a house. "In the meantime, she made the depot house as comfortable and attractive as her considerable ingenuity could manage." Since her husband works for the railway, Arlene was able to negotiate a rent-free arrangement. Her goal and that of her little girl was to own #127, a cape ann with three bedrooms and two baths. If there is enough money, they may have dormer windows and door, a bay window in the living room, and a window seat in Lark's bedroom.

Their dreams seem to be constantly dashed even when Arlene took matters into her own hands. I tip my hat to the fictional Arlene - she is the sort of get-up-and-go person; not one to feel sorry for herself but one who "will think of something" and work boldly towards her goal. Very capable, reliable, forward-thinking, and determined, Arlene taught herself to type; she opened a small business and managed a well kept home. She baked, cooked, scrubbed, and cleaned, and she sewed lovely outfits for herself and her daughter whose favourite was the green and white seersucker jumpsuit with carrot appliqués on the bodice and the pockets. She made a robe for Hillyard and first communion dresses for Lark and her two friends - Beverley and Sally. Arlene baked pies and cakes for church events, Memorial Day picnics, and is definitely an organizer and take-charge character. I found myself rooting very hard for Arlene and young Lark, I cheer her on and want everything to go right for her.

This book is written from the perspective of the six-year old Lark. By the end of the book, she was barely eight. I found her thoughts and insights to be very grown-up and a little befuddling for such a young creature but lovable she is. I must stop before I give too much away. This book centred around family, friendships, community-spirit, dreams & hopes, gambling & alcohol, Catholicism, and a different time in history. Funny and endearing at times. I enjoyed every minute of reading this book and I savoured every word. Here is my favourite quote:

"We have to be ready for the adventures life throws down in our path. Everything difficult or painful that we can do with a merry heart, gives us ........" She searched for the word. Squaring her shoulders, she pronounced, "style." An uncharacteristic word, I thought......."And character. Yes, style and character. Mr. Roosevelt has style and character, don't you know. And, Mrs. Roosevelt, too."

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I recently read Faith Sullivan’s “Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse,” I followed with this novel because Nell Stillman, the protagonist, is closely connected to the principal characters in “The Cape Ann.” Nell, now retired from teaching third grade, whose long, challenging years have been sustained by her reading life, continues to care for her almost 40 year old son, Hilly, the young soldier who returned to Harvester, Minnesota, suffering from shell shock after WWI.

Lark Erhardt is the six-year old narrator of this novel that begins in 1939. Her observations about life, sometimes cobbled with her eavesdropping, are earnest, sometimes funny, and often heartbreaking as she tries to navigate the mysteries of her family and small town still struggling with the Great Depression. Although readers might question the maturity of Lark’s insights given her young age, Sullivan balances this with Lark’s typical child-like responses to events in the novel.

The men in this novel, perhaps as in the last one, are flawed, adding to the hardships in the family. Lark’s father, Willy, is a compulsive gambler, gambling away his wife’s and daughter’s dreams of building “The Cape Ann,” #127 from the house catalog. A man of little imagination, threatened by his bright, independent, resourceful wife, Arlene, Willy holds narrow views about just about everything: politics, religion, the roles of men and women, family life, townspeople. Stanley, his brother-in-law, flaunts his adultery to his pregnant wife, Betty, and seems paralyzed by his reduced employment.

The novel is filled with the small moments of Lark’s life, her commitment to studying the Baltimore Catechism in preparation for her first confession and communion, her friendships with children and adults, her comfort sleeping in a crib surrounded by her favorite books. The dysfunction of the family permeates the novel, however, filled with anger, contempt, and great sadness. While I cheered for Arlene to follow her dreams, saving her sister and Lark as well, that comes at a cost. "Sometimes I let people think the worst of me because I can't explain the truth."

Few things give me more pleasure than finding a new author whose writing moves me; Faith Sullivan writes about familiar characters and situations. She writes with a certain purity and integrity, a fresh look at the courageous and visionary, the vulnerable and discouraged, the prejudiced who are limited by their fears, and those, like Lark and her mother, who are saved by their daring. “The Cape Ann” was a good choice to close out the old year and welcome 2016.

[Christine Schaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The narrator of The Cape Ann is six to eight year old Lark Erhardt who with her mother dreams of building a house The Cape Ann model. Each time her mother saves for the down payment her father gambles it away. Set in the small fictional town of Harvester, Minnesota during the depression we see life through the innocent eyes of a child.

Getting ready for her first holy communion Lark tries to understand her Catholic religion, unclear on what is a sin and what isn't and who will go to heaven. Will she, will her parents? By her observations her whole family is headed for hell. She believes babies come from the stork and it is her responsibility to catch her aunt's baby when the stork drops it. She witnesses the marital problems of her parents, her harsh father and her strong willed mother. She see the hobos and wonders what their story is. She witnesses the shell shock of her neighbor and friend Hilly and hears the boots of the Germans in her sleep as America prepares for World War II.

There is so much more to this book, but not much plot. The characters are the book, Lark, of course, her driven mother Arlene, her hapless father Willie, her friend, war hero, Hilly Stillman, her Aunt Betty, both sets of her grandparents and more.

I found this book after reading Faith Sullivan's Goodnight Mr. Wodehouse. Written over twenty years after The Cape Ann. It returns to Harvester and this time focuses on the life of Hilly Stillman's mother. It's another great one, a little more plot driven.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this after reading Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse. Set in the same fictional town of Harvester, MN, this earlier book visits some of the same characters. Narrated by Lark Ehrhart who is 6 when the book begins and 8 when it ends, it gives a child's perspective on growing up in a small town in the late 1930s to early 1940s. Lark is a charming narrator whose youthful perspective on life is at times heartbreaking and at times amusing. My heart ached for her and her mother Arlene as they continually chased their dream of owning their own home, a Cape Ann. Through setback after setback, I could see Arlene's strength and resolve as she gained my admiration. Another gem by Faith Sullivan.

[Anne Twiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book more than 30 years ago, and I forgot how Lark Earhart warms my heart, makes me giggle and reduces me to tears. The Audible version is beautifully narrated and describes small town Minnesota life during the Great Depression through the eyes of a child. She listens to adult conversations and sometimes doesn’t understand what is happening, but she hears everything and cares deeply about the people in her life. I’m so happy I am reacquainted with Lark and all of her family and friends once again.

[Stacey Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cape Ann is told from the perspective of 6-year-old Lark, who is an intelligent and observant little girl. Over the span of the novel, the author brings to life the surprisingly intuitive Lark as she balances between her childlike dreams and curiosity and the harsh realities of life in the 1930s. Through her eyes, we see and feel joy, uncertainty, and fear, all the while being supported by the bonds of small town community and family. I especially enjoyed listening to this book on Audible. The narrator does an exceptional job.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. It really was not the warm feel good book I expected. Set at the end of the Depression in small town Minnesota, it is the story of 6 year old Lark Erhardt. Lark lives with her mismatched parents in a makeshift apartment attached to the train depot where her father works. Major events in Larks life and the lives of the townspeople and other relatives are filtered through Lark's keen but naive eye. I can't wait to read the sequel.

[Michelle Barnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read about 100 pages and the story is going nowhere fast. I hope it picks up.

Ok the book did pick up a little about half way through and did have some really funny parts. But there was no real plot to the story, I didn't think. I probably wouldn't have finished had it not been a book club book. I think "mama" could have benefited from reading Love and Respect.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF I tried and tried again to get in to this book as it did get many great reviews. It just wasn't meant to be for me. Every time I picked it up I felt like it was never going anywhere. Some reviewers said it picked up about half way thru for a bit but with so little time and so many good books I didn't feel like committing the time to it.

[Laura Whitcombe · Rating 2 out of 5]

The style was lovely. The characters were interesting along with the setting. But the religious aspects were naive and heavy handed. Using the little girl to express the religious beliefs felt like propaganda. It left a bad taste. Perhaps if the summaries had shared that this was a religious book, I would not have felt duped.