Jenny and her father Brannon are modern day gypsies, moving often to follow seasonal jobs. Eleven year old Jenny doesn’t remember her mother who died when she was three. Then there were the five other women — her surrogate mothers — each of whom disappeared without saying good bye to Jenny. More than anything else, Jenny wants a mother who stays and a real family who puts down roots in one locale. The book begins while Jenny and Brannon are summering in Idaho where Brannon works at a dude ranch. There they meet red haired, vivacious Emma. When Emma and Brannon strike up a relationship, Jenny hopes that Emma will marry her father to create the family of her dreams. At the end of the summer, Emma accompanies Jenny and her father to the winter work at an Amazon distribution center in Kentucky. Maybe her dream will come true this time.
Jenny and Emma alternate narrating the story. Their distinctive voices create marvelous views into the world of the three main characters. Their sensitive descriptions of everyday events weave an intriguing and colorful design that draws the reader in. The reader roots for them to successfully create the desired family life. But little things just aren’t right. Brannon becomes inexplicably moody. The neighbor lady mysteriously falls down the stairs. There’s a box of mementos stored in the attic that Brannon declares off limits to Jenny and Emma. Secrets begin to emerge. These little things accumulate casting a shadow over Jenny, Emma and Brannon.
The last third of the book takes place in Irvington. Streets and houses are described so well that the reader feels they are enjoying a walk in the neighborhood. The characters eat at Dufour’s and Jockamo’s. The amazing and unexpected climax occurs at Lazy Daze. And Imogene, the Bookmama of the bookstore, plays a major role. I must say that I was honored to have the Bookmama be such a fine and consequential character.
Sherri Wood Emmons has done it again with her fourth book, “The Seventh Mother.” Once again she plumbs the depths of her characters and explores the relationships in women’s lives — particularly the multitudinous permutations of mother-daughter relationships.
“The Seventh Mother” is available at Bookmamas, 9 S. Johnson. Emmons will be available to sign copies during the August 23 Howe Block Party, the September 14 Irvington Farmer’s Market in Ellenberger Park and the September 21 Benton House Tour of Homes in front of Bookmamas.
