Daughter of Providence by Julie Drew--A Review

   A newly formed book discussion club in my neighborhood here in Florida happily chose Daughter of Providence by Julie Drew as their March reading selection. Due to my being out of town all of February and part of March, I didn't become involved until four days before the group's monthly meeting. Not a problem. Reading this historical fiction story set in Rhode Island in 1934 was a joy. I finished reading in two days and went to the lunch meeting with clear thoughts as to why I like this book so much.
   First was the strong female character at an age where important life choices are looming. Marriage? Expected for a young woman from an important family, and then, of course, the raising of children. But Anne Dodge dreams of other things besides domestic bliss. She's learning how to build a boat, has her own boat nearly finished. Her dreams are in her design, her careful planing of the wood, her caulking of the seams, her plans for its maiden voyage.
   Anne has lived alone with her father since she was six years old. Told that her Portuguese mother left them to be with another man, the only contact Anne had about her mother Inez was a terse letter from her mother's father telling of Inez's death. The story begins with Anne preparing  to pick up her half-sister from the train station. Maria Christina is coming to live with Anne and her father. Inez's parents have died and Anne is the only family the child has in the world. How can Anne love a sister who is a constant reminder of the mother Anne so missed, so longed for? Despite the dredged up pain, Anne does love Maria Christina and tries to pave the way for her father to open his heart as well. The personal angst and relationships make for a wonderful story, but in Daughter of Providence there is so much more.
   Themes evolve surrounding class struggles, prejudice, capitalism interests versus labor rights, privilege and related expectations--all interwoven with lies and cover-ups. Daughter of Providence provides a rich, historical background as America began its slow rise out of the depression.Our book club discussion closed with what we thought might have happened to Anne after the story ended. It was rewarding to brainstorm: would Anne decide after all to marry Will, her constant suitor from childhood? Or would she somehow find the means to build more boats, form a company, be truly independent? I think the best stories end this way, with the reader continuing to think about the character almost like a friend, hoping for a life continuing with possibilities and renewed choices for happiness.