Review by CDclark60 -- American River: Tributaries
Posted: 19 Jan 2021, 16:40
[Following is a volunteer review of "American River: Tributaries" by Mallory M. O'Connor.]
American River: Tributaries written by Mallory O'Conner is an all-American story about immigration, hard work, racial struggles, and love. Set in the late 1950s, three families go through trials and tribulations in their lives.
The story starts with a brief history of each of the families' ancestors: Cormac Everette McPhalan, the original owner of Mockingbird Ranch came from Ireland to seek his fortune in the 1849 gold rush. His grandson, Owen McPhalan now runs the ranch with his wife, Marian and their three children. Juan Dominguez Morales inherits Rancho Las Posas and sadly, has to relinquish his land when California becomes a state. He remakes his life in Mexico with his wife Rosa and their three children. Frank Yoshinobu, the son of a Samurai warrior comes to California to live in a Japanese colony situated along the American River. Frank's son David, his wife and son are sent to a Japanese prison camp in the 1940s and when released, they go to Mockingbird Ranch as caretakers.
The character line-up is complex, and I was grateful for the list of characters. They are believable, easy to remember, and colorful. I found myself sympathetic to each characters' plight. Owen's strict rules and racial insights show him as hard, calloused, and unmoving. Marian's dream to become an artist is overshadowed by her husband, he thinks it's non-essential, so she moves to Boston with the youngest daughter Alex who is enrolled in a prestigious school for gifted musicians. Jorge Morales working hard to take care of his family, yet his son, Carlos who becomes a well-known Maestro, sees him as an uncaring man who had little to do with him growing up. He does not take his father's name. Instead, he takes on his maternal grandfather's last name of Fitzgerald. David Ashida, the head foreman of Mockingbird Ranch feels disrespected due to his son Tommy and gives up his job. The other characters have their woes and it made the novel seem human.
As the families grow through the 50's & 60's era racism, drug abuse, and sexuality play a role in shaping each character's life. I do not think this type of novel warranted action around each corner; it has plenty of drama. Mallory O'Conner made me feel like I was in the story; wrapped up in each character's world. She separated each family nicely, and links them together superbly. I thought it was fast-paced and interesting as the story flowed through the lives of the inheritors and their children.
I give American River: Tributaries, 4 out of 4 stars. It is well written, easy to read, and easy to follow. Anyone who likes reading "family tree" or generational novels with a historical flair will enjoy this novel.
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American River: Tributaries
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
American River: Tributaries written by Mallory O'Conner is an all-American story about immigration, hard work, racial struggles, and love. Set in the late 1950s, three families go through trials and tribulations in their lives.
The story starts with a brief history of each of the families' ancestors: Cormac Everette McPhalan, the original owner of Mockingbird Ranch came from Ireland to seek his fortune in the 1849 gold rush. His grandson, Owen McPhalan now runs the ranch with his wife, Marian and their three children. Juan Dominguez Morales inherits Rancho Las Posas and sadly, has to relinquish his land when California becomes a state. He remakes his life in Mexico with his wife Rosa and their three children. Frank Yoshinobu, the son of a Samurai warrior comes to California to live in a Japanese colony situated along the American River. Frank's son David, his wife and son are sent to a Japanese prison camp in the 1940s and when released, they go to Mockingbird Ranch as caretakers.
The character line-up is complex, and I was grateful for the list of characters. They are believable, easy to remember, and colorful. I found myself sympathetic to each characters' plight. Owen's strict rules and racial insights show him as hard, calloused, and unmoving. Marian's dream to become an artist is overshadowed by her husband, he thinks it's non-essential, so she moves to Boston with the youngest daughter Alex who is enrolled in a prestigious school for gifted musicians. Jorge Morales working hard to take care of his family, yet his son, Carlos who becomes a well-known Maestro, sees him as an uncaring man who had little to do with him growing up. He does not take his father's name. Instead, he takes on his maternal grandfather's last name of Fitzgerald. David Ashida, the head foreman of Mockingbird Ranch feels disrespected due to his son Tommy and gives up his job. The other characters have their woes and it made the novel seem human.
As the families grow through the 50's & 60's era racism, drug abuse, and sexuality play a role in shaping each character's life. I do not think this type of novel warranted action around each corner; it has plenty of drama. Mallory O'Conner made me feel like I was in the story; wrapped up in each character's world. She separated each family nicely, and links them together superbly. I thought it was fast-paced and interesting as the story flowed through the lives of the inheritors and their children.
I give American River: Tributaries, 4 out of 4 stars. It is well written, easy to read, and easy to follow. Anyone who likes reading "family tree" or generational novels with a historical flair will enjoy this novel.
******
American River: Tributaries
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon