Another great read…
Several weeks ago, I noticed that author Florence Osmund had another book out: Red Clover. Having read two of her previous works, and being that I like her stories, writing style and messages she provides within her tales, I immediately opted to read and review this latest novel. True to form, Osmund does not disappoint. Red Clover is yet another interesting and well written read.
In, Red Clover, the journey begins in 1960. Lee Winekoop is just eight years old, but, even at that tender age, he realizes he is much different from his two older brothers. There’s nothing he can put his finger on exactly; however, his feeling of inadequacy is strengthened by the distance he consistently feels from his father.
Lee was born into a family of wealth and prestige. Yet, even with the privilege that wealth usually affords, Lee struggles daily, even hourly to fit in; to be ‘normal.’ To make matters worse, Lee’s two older brothers are the epitome of well-mannered and over-achieving boys. Everything they do makes their father proud. The best that Lee can hope for is to simply make it through each day without having a fear induced panic attack or worse…
Due to Lee’s various idiosyncrasies and insecurities, he is homeschooled. And, he is always being critiqued, studied, examined or advised by one psychologist after another. Lee’s father doesn’t understand what’s wrong with this particular son. Lee’s mother does her best to shield him from his father’s displeasure; however that seems to be the extent of her ‘maternal’ affection.
As Red Clover continues, the reader will be able to observe Lee as he traverses through his formative years; forever struggling to figure out who he is supposed to be. Years later, after finishing grad school, his Uncle Nelson passes away. Lee barely remembers the man, but he does attend the funeral. Wealth and privilege come with many obligations; and the freedom to skip the funeral of a mostly unknown relative is not even an option for Lee. He also does not yet realize that from this day forward, his life will never be the same again. Uncle Nelson had willed a generous amount of money to each of the boys, yet with Lee, he provided more: a 650 acre parcel of undeveloped land as well as an odd trust dictating the acceptance and usage of this land. This caused a question to become indelibly burned within Lee’s mind: why was he given more than his brothers?
This question, and others, starts Lee on a journey. A journey that eventually reveals a shocking family secret that’s been well hidden for over two decades. Of course, I’m not going to tell you the secret. You’re going to need to read the book for yourself to discover what it is.
In summary though, Red Clover was another great book by Florence Osmund. As always, she writes with sincerity and style. Her characters are believable and the various situations that they find themselves in are credible. Red Clover is a tale of human discovery with hope for a better tomorrow. I’m also certain that readers will enjoy watching the scared and misunderstood little boy mature into a man; a man completely at ease with who he is. Red Clover is a wonderful ‘feel good’ read that is completely appropriate for all ages. Four stars.