Last Rose Of Summer

In the summer of 1929, three strong-willed women, related by marriage, gather under one roof: widowed matriarch Maude Hennesey, whose belief inold-fashioned ways is shared by the ladies of her club; her pretty, spoiled daughterRachel; and daughter-in-law Marie, who s been forced by her husband, Harry, to uproot their two small children and take up residence in his family sEast Texan home until economic circumstances improve.Monte Schulz, son of celebrated Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz, examinesnot only the conflicts within the family, but the racial, gender and religioustensions of small-town Bellemont. As the summer wears on, Maude firmly lecturesthe unwelcome Marie on class distinctions, Rachel fights and flirts with herdashing pilot beau CW, and Marie reevaluates her marriage to salesman Harryduring their separation, while fending off her employer Jimmy Delahaye s slow seduction.Meanwhile, storms gather as a child s unnatural death sends shock waves throughout the community, instilling a senseof dread in both the reader and Marie, who s already lost her firstborn to tragedy. Things come to a head when a blackwar hero, Julius, is accused of murder: surprising truths about these three women are revealed. In the calm after thestorm, each woman learns to live her life on her own terms.Schulz dynamic female characters, though accessible to a wide audience, have particular appeal for women.