Sunlight on a Broken Column

Rating:
Summary: Good but this author has written better
Review: In 1893, the parents of seventeen year old Caroline Slade, diein anexplosion at the Washington DC Ford Theater. Caroline and her siblings, used to wealth and luxurious living in an upper Manhattan mansion, are shocked to learn that the debts accrued by their parents leave them all broke. Caroline, her older sister Laurel, and one of her older brothers (Brad) are taken in by their rich Manhattan neighbor, Miss Prentice.

Caroline is able to attend Normal College while Brad completes his education at Columbia. Laurel heads to Rhode Island, looking for a wealthy spouse, but instead returns in disgrace. She marries for money and Caroline^Rs new in-law threatens to destroy the entire family with his tortured soul.

Catherine M. Rae is one of the best historical fiction writers on the market today. Her tales such as FLIGHT FROM FIFTH AVENUE are stupendous looks into a bygone era. That is what makes Ms. Rae^Rs current work, SUNLIGHT ON A BROKEN COLUMN, a bit of disappointment. Though the characters are well drawn and Caroline elicits empathy from the reader, the use of a switching first person dialogue becomes confusing, actually punishes a promising story line, and leaves the reader feeling as if they suffer from multi-personality syndrome. For a taste of Ms. Rae at her fabulous best, try THE SHIP^RS CLOCK or FLIGHT FROM FIFTH AVENUE instead of this novel.

Harriet Klausner