Gertie and Arlo Wilde moved to Maple Street in Long Island, an affluent suburban neighborhood they thought would be a great place for their two children to be raised and they themselves could achieve more respectability. He’s a former rock star and junkie and she’s a beauty queen, pregnant with their third child. Their reception was cool until next door neighbor Rhea Schroeder, the alpha female in the community, befriends Gertie. Their daughters, Shelly and Julie, become best friends, that is until Rhea distances herself from Gertie after sharing a confidence in a moment of vulnerability. She misinterprets Gertie’s reaction and decides to ostracize the family, knowing the others in the neighborhood will also, including her daughter Shelly. When a sinkhole opens up in the park, it becomes an omen of far worse things to come.
I hope I can do this justice as it was one of the more disturbing stories I’ve read in a long while. Rhea’s behavior is typical of many in cliquish communities where a Queen Bee can help you fit in or forever banish you to the sidelines. When her daughter Shelly forces a violent confrontation with Julia, their final interaction sheds light on her troubled family before Shelly falls into that sinkhole. What comes next is a powerful illustration of the human condition, exacerbated by the destructive forces of social media and mob mentality. I kept thinking of how allegorical this situation was given the similarities to our current societal states. The children adopt the viewpoints of their parents until they witness the wreckage and then find themselves powerless to stop or redirect the consequences. But it’s the children who eventually have the final word in a moving scene near the end. These events are set in the year 2027 but revisited years later by journalists who interview the residents about what happened that summer.
There are so many layers to this story, making it impossible to adequately convey in summary. I found it entertaining until it wasn’t, comical until it transitioned and became painful, light until it turned very, very dark. I’m not sure why the author set it in the future but I suspect that it is a warning that if we don’t make serious institutional changes we are destined to continue on this miserable course. Rhea is a complex character with a tragic background that guides everything she does behind a veneer that hides her true nature. Gertie comes across like the stereotypical beautiful woman that doesn’t run deep but is more astute than most in that neighborhood. I found both of these women fascinating with more in common than either could ever know. What happened on Maple Street is just a symbol of what could happen in neighborhoods everywhere.
I’m glad I listened to this book because the narrator delivered an outstanding performance in completely capturing the essences of the pivotal characters. I loved her depiction of Gertie as I could picture her vividly and Rhea whose craziness almost sounded sane, which was her genius. I don’t think I’ll ever forget Maple Street and all it represents. When I finished, I sought out an interview with the author to ensure I was getting the intended messages (I was!) and highly recommend reading it after you finish. This is a serious, thought provoking story that will probably stay with me forever.
Book Info
- Release Date: February 2, 2021
- Narrator: Nicole Lewis
- Audio Length: 10 hours, 11 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
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(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
This one sounds like an interesting read on so many levels, complex yet disturbing.
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That’s it exactly💜
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We need to read more stories like these, one’s that make us stop and think long after we finish the book.
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This is a doozy of one of those.
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It does sound very thought-provoking and like a story that stays with you long after you finish. Wonderful review, as always, Jo. ❤️
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Thank you, Tessa💜 It’s a well written story!
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Loved reading your thoughts on this, Jonetta! I have gone back and forth about reading it, and this pushed me over the edge. I love it when stories and characters stay with you. ♥️
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Thank you, Jennifer💜 This is a tough one but necessary. I hope you do read/listen to it. There’s tremendous value here.
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This one sounds disturbing and I’m not sure that’s for me this week. I’m trying to have a quiet week here. I’m glad to hear it is well-written. Excellent review!
Anne – Books of My Heart
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Thank you, Anne💜 It’s a disquieting story and you’d be right to wait until you’re in a different state of mind.
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I have a copy of this to read, I’m really looking forward to it. Great review Jo!
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Thank you, Jacob💜 I hope you get as captivated with it as I was.
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Excellent review Jonetta! Such a thought provoking read!
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Thank you, Kaceey💜 It was definitely that.
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Absolutely stellar review Jonetta! I adored this book though it wrecked me in the worst possible way. I too, contacted the author (though I didn’t seen out an interview) to check and see if the message I got from this book was correct (and I too was on the right track). I was astounded by what the author was able to convey and the larger picture this novel portrayed. I am so glad you enjoyed this as well. It was brilliant.
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Thank you, Susanne💜 I read your review and thought it was insightful, on point and just outstanding. You mirrored my feelings.
The interview I read is on S&S’s site if you’re interested.
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Excellent review Jo. This sounds simple on the surface for many, but very complex if you look beneath the surface.
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Thank you, Carla💜 Oh, it’s so complex.
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