‘Round Town

Betsy’s new book

Fri, 11/28/2014 - 8:45am

    Betsy Wing has written a new book.

    This is not a review. I haven't had time to read the whole book — it’s just out. I'm a very slow reader.

    Betsy lives in East Boothbay, near the end of a long road that ends in the woods, just back from the edge of Linekin Bay. A perfect place to write.

    “Now History” is the second book she has written, but Betsy has translated many French titles for English publication. She's an artist, too.

    But these are matters for another time.

    When asked to make a new author photo for her, I was pleased. She seemed like an interesting person — someone I'd like to know more about.

    We met on a windy Linekin Bay day and made some photos in her home office, then headed out along the shore. Betsy had to bundle up against the wind but seemed comfortable despite flying hair and my silly comments about the weather. We had a good visit.

    “Now History” is on my bedside table, in the reading rotation, but folks who have read the entire book shared comments on Amazon.

    The Amazon description of the book reads:

    “‘Now History’ is an account of the World War II years, starting just before Pearl Harbor, to set the scene, and ending with the bombing of Hiroshima. Unlike most WWII novels, however, it all takes place on the Home Front with the action divided between two sheltering houses: it opens in a cottage at Virginia Beach, and ends in August 1945 in the same cottage. Between these two dates the action takes place in and around a large, comfortable home in Richmond, Virginia. The characters only know the war through what they read in papers, hear on the radio or read in censored letters from the men and women overseas. Its effects on them are subtle but great, preparing for the years of social change that will take place after the war.”

    “Now History” is available at Sherman's, other fine booksellers, and online. I believe what I have read so far would make a great movie!