Townsman, 1992-01, Page 39One good book
deserves a sequel
Homan, Beulah. Daybreak at the
Ridge. Natural Heritage Press, c1991.
paperback. 229 pp.
ISBN 0-920474-66-7.
Many readers enjoyed Mrs.
Homan's first novel, A Place Called
The Ridge, in which the Sandy family
established itself in southwestern
Ontario becoming prosperous and
prominent local citizens and business
people. They should enjoy this sequel
which extends the story as well.
Sarah Sandy's story is continued as
her grandsons are now married and
there is a lessening of her obligation
to look after the family although she
still helps out in times of illness and
personal and financial trouble. There
is now both time and leisure to visit
her son, Edward, at his estate in Eng-
land. The trans-Atlantic voyage is
anticipated with excitement as well as
the nervousness of a woman travelling
unaccompanied. The new freedom of
being able to travel alone and in com-
fort is much enjoyed.
This state of anxiety is justified as
Sarah is approached by a man early in
the voyage and, in spite of rebuffs, he
perseveres and she succumbs to his
charms. A long-term relationship
develops although it does not end as
one might expect or anticipate in mar-
riage. There are illnesses and family
problems which prevent the consum-
mation of the union but a whole new
dimension is added to life for the
heroine who still misses both her
deceased husband and her one true
love.
The first visit to England is fol-
lowed by another and Sarah is able to
establish close contact with all mem-
bers of her large family and to have
some influence on the paths they
choose in life although the emphasis
is on the spreading of her own wings.
She persuades a grandson whose busi-
ness fails in Britain that Canada pre-
sents new opportunities and the
family will help him get established
here. In the end she returns to the
Ridge, where her roots are, to live out
the rest of her life although it is not
entirely Sarah's choice.
This book should be read first of all
for the story and the warm, middle-
class family values portrayed. Rela-
tionships are all-important with family
ties counting more than anything else.
This state of affairs suits the time
period of the story and is also impor-
tant for many people today. It may
even inspire some readers to imita-
tion.
Jerry McDonnell is a hign school
librarian and avid reader who has
reviewed books for several publica-
tions across Ontario.
® Frigidaire
90
DAYS
INTEREST
FREE!
O.A.C.
"WWII
MOW
VISA
We have parking
at the back of the store 291 -
3 0 1 0
TOWNSMAN/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 39
ASK ABOUT OUR
10 -YEAR
WARRANTIES!
132 Main St. W.
Listowel