Songs in Ordinary Time

The summer of 1960, the last peaceful period and the innocence of America, is the setting for Songs in Ordinary Time. The main character is Marie Fermoyle, a strong but frail mother who is an easy target for shady con artist Omar Duvall because of her desire to please her children and her loneliness. Marie's children are Benjy, twelve, lonely and misunderstood, and so anxious for his mother's happiness that he conceals the dreadful truth only he knows about Duvall; Alice, seventeen, is entangled with a disturbed young priest; and Norm, sixteen, is hotheaded and idealistic. We meet Sam Fermoyle, the alcoholic father of the children, who is currently living with his elderly mother and resentful sister. We also meet Sam's quiet brother-in-law, who makes anonymous "love" calls from the restroom of his failing appliance store. Finally, we meet the Klubock family, who, in stark contrast to the Fermoyles, lead a well-organized life in the lovely home next door.

A choice for the Oprah Winfrey Book Club.