Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 15, 1990 TAG: 9007180074
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Recently widowed Maggie Stearn, mother of a college freshman daughter, leaves Seattle with its sad memories of a happy marriage to return to her hometown with the idea of a fresh beginning.
Left financially independent by her husband's insurance, Maggie buys an old house in Door County and begins renovation for a bed-and-breakfast inn. But once back home, she discovers complicated relationships with her mother and daughter, who appear to resent her for different reasons. She also meets Eric Severson, her high school sweetheart and first love. Eric's growing disenchantment with his 18-year-old marriage adds further complications to his and Maggie's determination to avoid romantic involvement. This is, however, a romance so a certain amount of predictability is to be expected.
But that predictability is happily balanced by sensitive characterizations. Spencer, who has received many awards for her romantic fiction, knows people and their emotions well. She is also adept at descriptions of place. "Bitter Sweet," with its passion and emotion, is satisfying reading. - HARRIET LITTLE
Markers. By Sidney Zion. Donald I. Fine. $19.95.
"Markers" is a wonderfully baroque novel that covers six decades beginning in the late '20s. And that energetic era in our history is as much a central character as the remarkable people in the O'Rourke, Frank and Roshevksy families. This is a story of power, greed, corruption, political influence, and also love, respect and tradition. And it is as difficult to summarize as that epoch was.
Author Sidney Zion, also an attorney, journalist and biographer, has captured the duality of ruthless people shaping history to their advantage, yet honoring traditional principles of loyalty and respect. These characters are as difficult to categorize as they are to judge. Certainly, we are talking about gangsters - including the cameo appearances of Louis Lepke and Meyer Lansky. We're also talking about some questionable political moves by the Kennedys, LBJ and Richard Daley. But we're also talking about immensely attractive and intelligent people who shaped the course of many lives.
"Markers" is a rich and captivating novel. It's a wonderful tapestry of a world that no longer exists, and best of all, it's a terrific story. - JUDY KWELLER
by CNB