One man, two centuries, in America’s last continental frontier. Adapting to a new language during the early years of the family featured in this novel proved to be more difficult for adults than for their children who had the benefit of formal in-class schooling. The similarity of two cultures, French Canadian and northern Maine Americans, made for a seamless transition as only a river separated the two for miles as it meandered through the region.

Members of large families migrating voluntarily from the peaceful surroundings of the St. Lawrence River during the 19th century settled on either side of the St. John River minimizing the significance of a border between nations. This was also true of the Acadians living in Canada’s maritime province and Nova Scotia who were forcibly driven from their land and homes by the British. The land of fertile plains and virgin forests of the region was blessed with an abundance of rivers and lakes making travel easier thereby encouraging the growth of new settlements. (For thousands of years, the land had been home to the Malecites, a peaceful member of the North American Indian Tribes. They continue to live here but far fewer in number in isolated enclaves). Encroachment of the area by people from other European countries, many Jesuits among them, resulted in the conversion of the indigenous people to Catholicism promoting fragile harmony between the several ethnic groups.

Another calming effect was the movement of people moving north from southern Maine, mostly Protestants, who, seeing the pristine forests promising great rewards, brought their management abilities and wherewithal necessary for the orderly development of vibrant communities. Other smaller groups also made contributions to growth but on a smaller scale. Today, a century later, these same communities thrive slowly and beautifully. Nearly every household has a pickup truck attesting to the fact that the guys spend more time on yard and house projects than in their bedrooms. So much for smaller families.