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A review by canada_matt
Loss of Innocence by Richard North Patterson
4.0
Patterson returns with the second Martha's Vineyard trilogy, pushing the reader back to the summer of '68, where Whitney Dane is coming into her own. After her engagement to a social acceptable young man, her summer of revelations begins, which will change life as she knows it. The novel outlines Whitney's struggles with these revelations and the toll it takes on her entire family of rich, New England Republicans. When Whitney encounters a young Ben Blaine, Yale drop-out and aspiring writer, her life takes a major turn, leaving her to ponder the pre-determined path her life should take. While others around her are threatened by the young Blaine, Whitney discovers kindred friendship with him, forcing her to realise that stability is no guarantee, no matter one's class. As the country witnesses a political upheaval, where divisions within the Democrats paves the way for a united GOP to crown Nixon and keep the war in Vietnam going strong, lines are drawn, with Whitney in the middle. Both Whitney and Ben suffer their own loss of innocence as they see life around them metamorphosise, not always for the better. Patterson adds layers to his trilogy and enriches both the story and its characters with this instalment that seeks to offer a complete different spin on Ben Blaine from his depiction in the pages of FALL FROM GRACE.
Patterson again aptly titles the novel, as 1968 was surely a loss of innocence for many. Assassinations of King and Kennedy, riots in Chicago, and the build-up of Vietnam, to name but a few. Patterson tackles these events through the lens of the New England rich and their stuffy-shirt interpretations. While fans of the series will know that Ben Blaine played a pivotal role in FALL FROM GRACE (through flashbacks at his funeral), the Blaine character emerges in this novel, giving more of a first-hand look at the man who was strongly vilified. A powerful story filled with the politics of the time helps Patterson lay the foundation with some of the older generation of characters made popular in the opening book. Fabulous insight into this series, a complete reinvention of Patterson's norm.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson for this intelligent novel, seeking to open the reader's eyes and minds to another means of analysis of this fiery year. I am eager to see how you will tie off the trilogy in short order.
Patterson again aptly titles the novel, as 1968 was surely a loss of innocence for many. Assassinations of King and Kennedy, riots in Chicago, and the build-up of Vietnam, to name but a few. Patterson tackles these events through the lens of the New England rich and their stuffy-shirt interpretations. While fans of the series will know that Ben Blaine played a pivotal role in FALL FROM GRACE (through flashbacks at his funeral), the Blaine character emerges in this novel, giving more of a first-hand look at the man who was strongly vilified. A powerful story filled with the politics of the time helps Patterson lay the foundation with some of the older generation of characters made popular in the opening book. Fabulous insight into this series, a complete reinvention of Patterson's norm.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson for this intelligent novel, seeking to open the reader's eyes and minds to another means of analysis of this fiery year. I am eager to see how you will tie off the trilogy in short order.