At first glance, it's easy to mistake Maryanne O'Hara's compelling debut novel for a sort of woman's romantic novel, given the beauty of the cover, but it isn't at all. Inside that cover lies a great read for anyone, male or female, who loves a smart story. Set in 1930s Massachusetts, "Cascade" is about big change, ambition, mystery, hope, mortality, tradition, a wrong marriage, the possibility of passion, and the cost of pursuing what most matters. This is a dramatic, suspenseful, beautifully written and wise novel that highlights the timelessness of our questions and struggles as people. Read it, pass it around, give it to everyone on your gift list. Wonderful.

Beautiful, well-researched novel that brings Edith Wharton to life.

A compelling and honest story of a WW2 veteran\'s post-war life in the publishing world. What makes it great is not the story (there\'s very little plot) but the gorgeous, stunning prose, the musings on life, the compelling characterizations.