This is the all-Iowa read selection for 2010. I listened to the audio book and enjoyed it very much. It is a little slow at the beginning. Actually it is a little slow during the whole book if you are a person who likes lots of action! I love books about people, their stories and their relationships. Driftless takes place in a small town in Wisconsin. If you are from the Midwest you will recognize people you have known in the characters who live in Words, Wisconsin.
Rhodes does a great job of telling each character's story and then weaving all those stories together. Jacob is a widower who hasn't been able to get past his wife's death - until he finds himself interested in Winnie, the Pastor with a horrible childhood. Graham and Cora have a dairy farm and Cora works for the company that buy their milk. When she discovers some irregularities they must decide if they have the strength to stand up for what is right. Olivia and Violet are sisters who live together. Violet is an invalid and Olivia has been looking after her for many years. As a tease let me say that Olivia sneaks out one night and takes all of her money to a casino. Violet ends up with a pit bull that was used in dog-fighting. (I don't really know the whole story there because I couldn't bear to listen to the part about dog-fighting and so I skipped several tracks!)
The main character in the book is July who spent a great deal of his life drifting and finally finds peace in the small town of Words. There are parts of the book that made me smile and parts that made me teary - a great combination in my opinion!
If you have read this book or want to, please put it on your calendar to join us here at the Library on April 15 at 7:00 for the All-Iowa discussion of the book led by Nancy St. Clair.
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