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Earthquakes
It's hard enough dealing with the effects of World War II sending his father and grandfather to the Pacific theater, but now seventeen-year-old Jonathon Thomas has to deal with real and imaginary earthquakes. To make matters worse his school principal has warned him and his schoolmates of potential spies in the neighborhood. How's he supposed to recognize a spy? And why are his neighbors being murdered? And why are people sneaking into his house to search for something? The only comfort Jonathon finds is when he talks with his girlfriend, Jennifer Murphy. What's he going to do when he's banned from leaving his home? Will his recurring nightmare of being swallowed up when an earthquake splits the ground open under his feet turn into reality?
217 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
About the author
Sarah Maury Swan
4 books2 followersI have spent my entire life surrounded by books and art. Many members of my family were writers or loved books. My father's parents were both journalist and authors and my mother's parents loved to read. Granny was the librarian for the town I grew in.
My husband and I spent 20 some years caring for horses on our farm in Maryland after raising 4 children.
But after the last horse died, we decided to move to New Bern, NC. And now I pursue my writing on a broader scale.
That is, when I'm not playing golf or kayaking or bird watching.
Since two of our children followed my husband's dreams of being a musician, we promote singer/songwriters by hosting house concerts.
My husband and I spent 20 some years caring for horses on our farm in Maryland after raising 4 children.
But after the last horse died, we decided to move to New Bern, NC. And now I pursue my writing on a broader scale.
That is, when I'm not playing golf or kayaking or bird watching.
Since two of our children followed my husband's dreams of being a musician, we promote singer/songwriters by hosting house concerts.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 4, 2021
Sarah Maury Swan has hit the bullseye once again with her third adolescent novel Earthquakes. For a setting she chose the West Coast during World War II. The plot centers on a family trying to cope with the complexities of life created by an absentee father who is serving in the military. There is a suspenseful swirl of conflicts including German spies, counter spies, conspiracies and murder.
The story is told from the third person point of view. The omniscient narrator places Jonathon, the main character, at center stage. The reader shares his doubts and uncertainties about Jennifer, his girlfriend, and their typical teenage love with all its complications and misunderstandings. Jonathon’s mind is a storm of interior questions about life, gender roles, judging others, fears, suppositions, speculations, and, of course, the mystery at the heart of the plot. His italicized dreams include earthquakes that reflect literal ones from the plot.
Swan provides rich and interesting historical details with references to songs, movies and current events from the 1940’s.
The story is told from the third person point of view. The omniscient narrator places Jonathon, the main character, at center stage. The reader shares his doubts and uncertainties about Jennifer, his girlfriend, and their typical teenage love with all its complications and misunderstandings. Jonathon’s mind is a storm of interior questions about life, gender roles, judging others, fears, suppositions, speculations, and, of course, the mystery at the heart of the plot. His italicized dreams include earthquakes that reflect literal ones from the plot.
Swan provides rich and interesting historical details with references to songs, movies and current events from the 1940’s.
Displaying 1 of 1 review