The Town

THE TOWN
by Conrad Richter

 Award: Pulitzer 1951

 Date Read: April 3, 2020

Told through the lens of the prominent Wheeler family, one of the original founders of the Ohio hamlet Moonshine Church, readers are provided a glimpse of how an outpost of civilization becomes a town. From its rebirth at Americus, progressing from ferry crossings to a bridge and the arrival of the steam train, the Wheelers are privy to all the advancements of modern society.

 Their father, Portius, becomes a judge and a man of respect in the town, although everyone knows of his previous indiscretion with a local woman, which produced a daughter, Rosa. Never is she acknowledged as a half-sibling to the Wheeler offspring and I'm not quite sure she ever knew it for sure herself. Her ending is tragic and with some compassion from the Wheelers, could have been prevented.

 My only problem with this charming and folksy novel is with Chansey, the youngest Wheeler child. For lack of a better term, Chansey is an asshole. He has his head so far up his own butt that he lacks charm, compassion and respect for others. While the discrepancies between the young and old is well-explored territory for numerous authors, Chansey's character uses these differences to judge and discount his predecessors in a manner like I've never seen. His opinions and judgements are almost rusted into position with little hope of him ever growing up with age. Get a grip, Chansey!

 Looking forward: The Sea Of Grass

 Looking back: The Waters Of Kronos

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