*The Berry Pickers* is a poignant tale of loss and resilience, centering on the disappearance of Ruthie, the youngest child in a family, during the summer of 1962. The narrative alternates between two perspectives: Joe, Ruthie's older brother, who was with her when she vanished, and Ruthie herself, now living under the name Norma after her abduction.
Joe's story is marked by deep guilt and the emotional turmoil he endures while grappling with Ruthie's absence. Meanwhile, Norma's journey is fraught with confusion as she experiences âdreamsâ of a family and a brotherâactually memories of her life before she was taken. Her narrative carries its own weight of sadness, compounded by her abductor's fear of her discovering the truth.
The book masterfully weaves these perspectives together, immersing readers in the grief and longing of a family torn apart. The anticipation builds as Norma and Joe's paths inch closer to intersecting. Once the truth comes to light, the pace quickens, leading to a resolution that feels both redemptive and healing.
I highly recommend *The Berry Pickers* if you're looking for a deeply emotional family saga with a satisfying and rewarding conclusion.
Joe's story is marked by deep guilt and the emotional turmoil he endures while grappling with Ruthie's absence. Meanwhile, Norma's journey is fraught with confusion as she experiences âdreamsâ of a family and a brotherâactually memories of her life before she was taken. Her narrative carries its own weight of sadness, compounded by her abductor's fear of her discovering the truth.
The book masterfully weaves these perspectives together, immersing readers in the grief and longing of a family torn apart. The anticipation builds as Norma and Joe's paths inch closer to intersecting. Once the truth comes to light, the pace quickens, leading to a resolution that feels both redemptive and healing.
I highly recommend *The Berry Pickers* if you're looking for a deeply emotional family saga with a satisfying and rewarding conclusion.
A story that pulls you in from the beginning. Indigenous migrant workers from New Brunswick/Nova Scotia travel to the blueberry fields in Maine each year to harvest berries. One family suffers immeasurably through the years - having their four year old disappear and never be found and later a son killed in a fight when a carnival comes to town. One son disappears for the majority of his life due to guilt. But overriding all the tragedy, is the constant hope and faith of the matriarch of their family. Great read!!!!
