Bethany House, Oct 2004, 12.99, 320 pp.
ISBN: 0764227610
During World War I wealthy Sharon Winslow believes she has met the love of her life, Buffalo's Robert Tyson, while both try out for parts in an opera. Though her parents are a bit disappointed that she chose someone from the working class, they love and support Sharon's choice. The lovebirds become engaged, but agree to hold off on marriage and the conjugal bed until he returns from the war. However, he dies in combat. Sharon falls into a deep into depression to the point that her parents worry about her mental health. She vows never to marry.
During the depression grungy Temple Smith rides into her life. Her parents and her younger brother Clayton find Temple unacceptable as an uncouth pauper, but reconsider their impression as they see he has brought back the spark of life to their beloved daughter who had not shown any vigor since her fiancé died. While Temple must overcome her pledge to his dead rival and her parents' belief he is beneath her, Sharon is concerned with her family firm nearing bankruptcy.
THE SILENT HARP is an engaging first half twentieth century historical family drama that follows the exploits of the Winslow family from World War I through just before the onset of World War II. The story line mostly concentrates on Sharon, but also contains subplots involving her much younger brother Clayton as well as her parents.
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story
- 1930's-1950's
Forbidden/mismatched love?
Yes
How mismatched?
- poor loving rich
Inner struggle subplot
Yes
Struggle with...
- angst over dead lover
Matchbreaker
Yes
Matchbreaker is
- Dad
Main Male Character
Profession/status:
- small businessman
Age/status:
- 20's-30's
How sexual is this person?
- very picky
How romantic is this person?
- somewhat romantic
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
What % of story is romance related?
- 70%
How much dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
