Review: A Story From A More Innocent Time
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 10, 2013
Eleanor has waited seven years for her missing husband, David, to come home. Meanwhile another suitor, Grant is pressuring her to have her husband declared dead so they can marry. Complicating the issue is Philip, the child born of her brief marriage to David, who hates Grant.Philip develops a friendship with a man who calls himself Jeff. Eleanor thinks this is just another of her son's imaginary friends and worries that their isolation in the country may be hindering her son's ability to form friendships with other children.  However, Jeff isn't imaginary, he is really Eleanor's long-lost husband who is trying to establish a relationship with his son and find out about the state of Eleanor's relationship with Grant.Eleanor, was raised by her controlling father then marries David (Jeff), another controlling man, after a very brief courtship. David actually tells her, "You have been chosen," like she has no say in the decision to marry him. So it's really no surprise when she doesn't have the spine to tell her latest suitor, Grant to get lost, despite the fact that he's put her son's life in jeopardy and also threatens to send the child to boarding school as soon as they are married. Eleanor reasons that he's waited for her for four years and has helped her get a publishing contract for her children's stories, so she owes him some loyalty. She also worries that if she doesn't marry Grant she'll be all alone when her son grows up and leaves home, despite the fact that he's only seven years old at the time.According to the author's note at the end, this story was originally published in 1975. Although updated somewhat, it still reflects the style of writing, the attitude and actions of characters, from that time. The majority of the narrative is in omniscient point of view, with a smattering of third and even first person. I found it difficult to connect with, and even to like, the characters at times. However if you're looking for a sweet story of a more innocent world, then A Father for Philip will suit you.