The Cape Ann

by Faith Sullivan

Book Overview

A disarmingly involving portrait of a family struggling to stay together through the Great Depression, The Cape Ann is an unforgettable story of life from a child's-eye view. Lark Erhardt, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140119795
• ISBN13: 9780140119794
• Release Date: July 1989
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A real surprise!

I checked this book out at the library without ever having heard of it or the author, but was I ever impressed! The story is told from the perspective of young Lark, who is about 6 when the story begins. She is the only child of a strong willed mother and often abusive father, living in Minnesota during the depression. Lark's mother is making do, living in the train depot where her husband works, saving every penny she can so that one day they can build their own house. Lark and her mother have decided on a Cape Ann style house, but everytime they get enough to make a down payment on it, her father ends up gambling away every bit of it. He is a devout Catholic and Lark is trying so hard to study to be confirmed, but no matter how hard she tries, he finds fault with her. It's Lark's mother who keeps her going. She is a woman ahead of her time, figuring out a way to make money on her own, she learns to type and starts her own business. They befriend a man named Hilly who is a hero from the war, but has come home with a shattered mind. He has the personality of a young child and Lark loves to go to his house and read to him. She and her mother always remember Hilly on his birthday and Christmas, much to the disgust of the father. This story is so great, because the author has really gotten into the mind of a child. I laughed out loud at some of the true things that Lark thought, and felt angry and sad right along with her when her father beat her. This was such a good book that I am ready to start on the next one by the same author. I would recommend it to any age reader.

Beautifully, insightfully written--a rival for Harper Lee

Harper Lee, I think, set the standard for books told through the eyes of a precocious child with To Kill a Mockingbird. This incredible book by Sullivan is the only book I've seen that comes close the the genious displayed by Lee. The narrator, Lark, is innocence personified, a bright, thoughtful child facing questions about subjects as complex and diverse as where babies come from and how God works. Lark's mother Arlene Erhardt, is exactly the kind of feminist mother I hope to be one day--one who loves her daughter selflessly and strives to teach her daughter by example. My favorite line in the book is spoken by Arlene as she plotted an escape from Willie, the abusive husband/father: "Hippopotamuses aren't all bad. They are what they are. But I wasn't meant to have one sitting on my face."

A Masterpiece

The Cape Ann is the story of a mid-west, depression era family's life, told through the eyes of their daughter, Lark Erhardt. As the book opens, Lark is only six years old and already starting to understand how complicated life can be for the people around her. Faith Sullivan draws you into the daily lives of the citizens of Harvester, Minnesota so completely, that you become part of the novel, observing life's happiness and sorrows and the power struggle between Lark's parents. This book is beautifully written and the characters are so well drawn and developed, they come alive on the page. A wonderful, poignant, touching story of a loss of innocence, that will stay with you for a long, long time.

Raised Catholic?

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who went through the rigors of First Communion and Pennance or any religious turning point that employs fear and guilt to drive the gravity of the ceremony home. Lark embodies the extreme in this case, yet is written so artfully that you can understand her perspective. For me, I actually relived the experience a new. The friendships, insecurities and needful voice Faith Sullivan employs in her characterization of Lark are true art. I have recommended and actually given this book away in hopes that my family and friends read it. Out of the many books I have read in the past two years, this was the best written and most captivating. I also read the Empress of One. Also excellent, yet I believe this to be the best in this series by Faith Sullivan.

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! A Real Treat.

This is a beautiful, haunting book. Lark is a child who grows up with all the questions and interests that most children have in adults. Why is my mother this way? My father - what does he mean? Just trying to figure out life is much too difficult and this book will make you remember your own childhood and smile. Lark realizes she is never told everything and she and her two best friends are enchanting and real enough to make you laugh and cry at once! Pretty little Sally with the "strange" mother, poor sassy Beverly who grows up fast and learns the ways of the world from her struggling single mom. Lark's mother is a woman "ahead of her time" and it causes her no end of trouble, but she thrives on life and living it to the fullest!You must meet these characters. You will never forget them. The second book (in what I hope is an ongoing series) is THE EMPRESS OF ONE. It particularly carries on with Sally and Beverly and not enough of Lark. At the end, we catch up with Lark, but the book ends leaving us waiting eagerly for the next installment! Not enough stars for this one. Please, Ms. Sullivan ENCORE!