Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Emotional sequel to a historical family saga

The Book Dragon has finished Pamela Sharp's What Truly Matters and gives it five claws!

My review: What Truly Matters is the sequel to Sharp's excellent Because That's What Families Do. The first book covered about 20 years in the lives of cousins Beth Bradbourne and Sarah Lockridge (and their families), from the mid-forties to the mid-sixties in the 20th century. What Truly Matters picks up after the startling elopement at the end of book 1 and deals with the consequences of that spur-of-the-moment decision.

Though this installment is a bit shorter and covers less than a year in the life of these families, the reader is caught up in the unexpected drama happening to many of the family members, those who have become beloved "friends" as well as a few familiar characters and new faces who are fascinating antagonists. The tension is sustained throughout, and the background historical events are seamlessly woven into the narrative, grounding the time and place and showing how the turbulence of the 1960's had a widespread effect on cultural mores and race relations.

Yet what I love about this story is not merely the big picture but the intimate family portrait Sharp has expertly drawn with her wonderful characters. Best of all, even though the ending is very well done, she has left room for a third book, so here's hoping there is more to come! I can't get enough of these families!

Note: There is some language, but the worst terms are not spelled out.