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Feb 26, 2019ArapahoeAnnaL rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This terrific work of literary fiction tells the story of two different families, one living in the 1870's, the other in current times. Geography, house troubles, and the lack of reliable shelter connect the two narratives. The meaning of shelter for these characters is twofold - in the concrete sense of housing, but also in the metaphorical shelter provided by a familiar and comforting world view. In the 19th century complacency is threatened by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution . In the 21st century the family finds the old ways of ensuring personal and societal security no longer work as they lose their savings and their professional positions as they confront global warming, a broken health care system, bigotry, class inequality, etc. This isn't a dry exploration of shelter however. The characters and their challenges are thoroughly engaging.