Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams Also by this author: Along the Infinite Sea, Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War, A Certain Age, Cocoa Beach
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons on June 23, 2015
Genres: Historical Fiction
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Christina "Tiny" Hardcastle was destined for the fate she'd been dealt. Raised to marry an illustrious man of power, she now stands beside her husband, Frank, as he launches his career in politics. They are the perfect couple, full of wealth, intelligence, grace, elegance, and adoration for one another. Frank has his eyes set on a Senate seat. a goal that is certainly attainable. Tiny should be happy, yet her recent miscarriage has her reflecting on her life and whether it is what she truly desires.
Unexpectedly, just as she's beginning to relax in peace at the family estate in Cape Cod, Tiny is surprised with two guests: Her opinionated and obnoxious sister, Pepper, and Frank's cousin, Caspian, just returned from the war. Pepper's arrival puts Tiny on edge; despite being sisters the two could not be more unlike. Pepper says (and does) as she wants, while Tiny conforms to what is best for her husband's political future. Caspian's arrival, too, brings Tiny anxiety and concern. Caspian has seen a private and intimate side of Tiny, one that not many others, including Frank, have witnessed.
When Tiny is blackmailed with evidence of her indiscretions prior to her marriage, her perfect world begins to quickly unwind. Additionally, she is certain Frank is taking part in his own indiscretions, while they are married. Her claims are ignored; it's simply a part of the political life she must endure. Frustrated and unwilling to sit by while her world crumbles around her, Tiny breaks the mold of the perfect political wife and seeks the truth. Her husband isn't the only one who deserves a life of success and greatness.
Tiny Little Thing is the second book about the Schulyer sisters, the first being the hugely successful The Secret Life of Violet Grant which published last year. The moment I read the premise I was sold. Williams excels (almost frighteningly so) at capturing the time, setting, and life of the characters she crafts. In this most recent novel, she gifts readers with a truly captivating story of wealth, power, politics, and the steps one will take to protect the lives of those they love. Told in alternating points of view, readers get a glimpse of what transpires from the voice of Caspian (in 1964, when he first met Tiny) and Tiny herself, in 1966.
Tiny is a woman born far beyond her time. She initially feels the need to conform to what is expected of her, in a world where wives have little say in what happens in their marriage, much less a wealthy, political one. Having experienced what true love feels like, she has lived the last two years desperately attempting to live the life that has been built for her. However, when the perfect facade begins to crumble, she allows herself to see there is a different fate, one in which she is free to have opinions, to be happy, not surrounded by what the public might think. Early in the novel, I felt quite frustrated with Tiny for allowing such atrocities to take place. I had to constantly remind myself this novel was set in a completely different time, though technically not that far in the past. So as she experienced the awaking, granting herself to be true to herself, I couldn’t have been more happier.
I impatiently await each and every one of Beatriz Williams’ titles. She’s hugely talented and taking my attention captive, unrelenting, until the very end. I have to say, this is the first of her novels to make me gasp (and yell) aloud as I read it. A true sign of talented writing! As with her previous novels, I was immediately swept away into the Kennedy-like world of the Hardcastles. I cannot wait to read (and talk) more about Williams’ work. If you haven’t read her work yet, you are in for a treat. If you have, and are returning for more, you are handsomely rewarded for your patience and dedication. Highly, highly recommended.
5 Responses to Review: Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams