Sheltered Life

Rating:
Summary: Long-winded Glasgow book
Review: A fairly dry story which takes place in the early 1900's to the brink of WWI in Virginia. It is about women, and their relationships ( or lack thereof ) with men. However, the focus is on the youngest, who is 8-years-old at the start of the story.

The 8-year-old becomes acquainted with her mother's best-friend's husband. Through the years they are close and share a close bond. Eventually, she falls in love with him despite knowing she shouldn't. Not until the daughter comes of age, and the wife finds out, tragedy strikes.

The title, I believe, comes from the lack of the exposure and isolation that the girl received. She knows little about except her small environment. I think this parallels the current attitudes that was prevalant in those days about not wanting to talk about troubling things, especially by women.

Overall, the first half of the book was exceedingly dull and a bit confusing. There was a time when I almost considered putting it down, but I am glad I stuck with it. There are many nuggets of wisdom about life and man/woman relationships that can be found in the book.