It's 1965 and saying that Anton "Anthony" Addison-Rice has had a rough year is a gross understatement. His brother died and Anton is still recovering from that loss and the loss of his hand. Emotionally numb and denying what he is going through, he assures his parents that it is okay for them to leave him alone for the Christmas holidays. Opening his Christmas gift before his parents leave helps because it is the telescope and tripod that he wanted. While attempting to set up the telescope, Anton sees into the apartment across the street and realizes that the woman who lives there is in danger. Anton is determined to help Edith leave her abusive husband even though she has no place to go. Anton questions her, "Is there ever a line...like...of hurting you ...that he could cross?" A friendship develops between the two in spite of their 15-year age difference and the holidays turn out differently than anything Anton could have expected. He falls helplessly in love with Edith and realizes that he has to let her go in order for her to be safe. His unselfish act changes his life forever in ways that seem hopeless at the time.
Whenever I receive a
Hyde book for a review, I know that I have to designate a whole day to read it,
because once started I will want to finish it. Grandma Marion advises Anton,
"I'll tell you what love is...when you can make the following statement
and mean it: 'What's best for her, even if it doesn't include me." What a
powerful message! In her writing, Hyde always nudges her reader to be a better
person. She shows us the good in humanity and hope for the future. This is not
a Pollyannaish type book, Anton's parents are horribly selfish and his mother
thinks only of herself and how things will look to others. I am so sorry to see
this book end and can't stop thinking about how unpredictable life is and so
wonderful at the same time. What's next for Hyde? Her plots and characters are
so unique; it's going to be hard to top her last three books.
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