THE BOOK FAIR

Review:

Ellen Grier, the dutiful wife of James Grier, moves to Holly’s Field, Wisconsin with her unemployed husband, who made the decision to return to his family home.

Though Ellen is respectful, educated, and a responsible mother to their two young children, she quickly discovers she is not liked by Fritz and Mary Margaret Grier.  Ellen, a teacher, soon becomes their cook and housekeeper.  Ellen watches her husband yield to depression as he is belittled by his father and spoiled by his mother. As dark secrets begin to emerge, and her husband slips further away, Ellen endeavors to pull James to her side and save her marriage.

The well plotted story of a dysfunctional family with well-drawn scenes and characters.