Sea Glass – Anita Shreve

Yet another Anita Shreve novel that I picked up from a charity shop, but Sea Glass is really quiet different to many of the others that I have read.

Set in the US in 1929 this book looks at the impact of the Wall Street Crash on the mill workers of Ely Falls and their families. This is a period in American history that I have to admit to not knowing much about at all, but its impact on day to day living has so many parallels to the current impact of the "credit crunch" on many people. The story of Honora Willard setting up home with her new husband and struggling to make that home as she wants to really touched a nerve with me at present.

The striking of the mill workers is where some of the parallels end though. I was aware of such strikes, but did not really know the details of what pushed the mill workers into these positions. As the story unfolds Honora gets caught up in the lives of these mill workers and it provides a real insight into the way in which events like this affect the whole families of those that are caught up in it.

The book is beautifully written and holds many historic details about the times of these strikes and the impact of the crash. Definitely worth a read, even if you're not a fan of her other work.