It is December of 1943 and Andy Catlett is woken by his father in the middle of the night, or so it seems. Andy, who is nine years old, lives in Hargrave. He is going to visit both sets of grandparents, who live 10 miles away in Port William, during the Christmas holidays. What makes this visit so exciting is that he is going to go on the bus by himself. He feels like it is his first step into manhood.
As Andy visits his grandparents, spending a few days at each home, we are given a glimpse of their lifestyles that contrast greatly with our own. Andy lives in a time when the way of life centers around a "sun-powered" world. There are horses, mule teams, or one travels on foot. It is a time that moves more slowly and allows your eyes to come to rest. It is a time of household economy, home production, and diligent thrift. It is an economy directly founded on the land, on the power of the sun, and on thrift and skill. The people are competent to take care of themselves.
Andy is living in a time where the old ways are in retreat and modern life is coming to the forefront. He shares stories of neighbors and friends and events that give one a taste of life in that time period. It seems to be a time where family, community, and respect for the land are commonplace. It is refreshing to see through Andy's eyes and participate with him in the adventure of being at his grandparents, alone.
Our modern world has much to give us in ease and comfort and speed. We move through life so quickly and miss out on the sense of community that was stronger then. The story speculates that we may be less resourceful than the people living in 1943. I really enjoyed reading about Andy and his way of life. I am grateful to my parents for instilling in me some of the small town life that Andy enjoyed. I highly recommend this book particularly for those that would enjoy a connection with their ancestors and for a glimpse of their lives in a time much different than our own.
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