Review: A Strange and Wonderful Book
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 14, 2011
The setting of this book is John Steinbeck country--the Salinas Valley of central California. As the latter part of Steinbeck's East of Eden described the social disruption caused by World I, so Blue Valley focuses on World War II: the demand for increased agricultural production, fears of enemy sabotage, and the internment of people of Japanese ancestry.These elements would make a solid foundation for a historical novel, but the author (as the subtitle, A World War 2 Fantasy, promises) chose to blend history with magic. Sarah, suspected because of her mysterious connection with the earth, becomes the object of a literal witch hunt by both local farmers, who blame her for turning the earth, and by government forces, who think she is an agent of the Japanese. Will Leary is supposed to discover the truth; instead he falls in love with Sarah.Not only did I find this book a compulsive read, but I continue to think about it. This is vivid and provocative story telling at its best. I am delighted that it is the first of a series, and I hope the second novel is published soon.