Rachel Reviews: The Watsons of Tethertown by Mary Moore

The Watsons of Tethertown is a tale about generations of a family and details the highs and lows of their lives from the end of the 19th century into the early 20th.

The novel begins with the story of Joel whose mother has remarried, Joel currently helping to run the farm that his now dead father had built up. Unfortunately, relations between Joel and his stepfather are less than harmonious and so, there is a falling out which results in Joel having to think carefully about his future. He is helped in this by his kindly neighbours, the Frasers and Joel is given the support that he needs to regroup.

Moore creates a world where life is hard and the ability to provide a comfortable existence is the key to success, not only in life but also in marriage and family life. If Joel wants the girl who he admires, he needs to prove that he has the means to provide for her and so, we follow Joel as he works towards this with a view to winning over someone who may have better prospects with another suitor.

What I liked about Moore’s book is that the writer is keen to show the passion that sustains a solid relationship; that despite outside influences, like crop failure or war, if the marriage is built on love and mutual respect, it will endure. There is a sense of harmony in the unions that the Watsons make, whether Joel or his daughter, Laura whose life forms the main subject for the latter part of the book. Hardships and upsets approach in many forms and Moore includes these in the narrative and they drive the plot, showing us how the characters conquer or succumb, depending on the writer’s outcome for them.

There is nothing to dislike about this book and indeed, I liked the fact that Moore's characters are keen to find their own paths, living lives that could be considered scandalous in their historical context, but choosing to pursue them with discretion because it is how they want to live. This is a great strength of the book.

There is tragedy but no great shocks and if you are looking for a book which doesn't demand much, is easy to read and has a story which flows, then this is a great book to choose.

Rachel Rating: 3/5 stars

This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery:

Thanks for stopping by! If you have read this, please do leave a comment as I do love to interact with my readers and if you go on to read the book, please do let me know what you made of it.