 November 2002
When Twilight Comes
by Gwynne Forster
Any story depicting family angst, sibling rivalry, intersposed within an entertaining storyline would be conducise to an enjoyable read. When Twilight Comes by Gwynne Forster was one of several books that I've touted as better reads for the year 2002, and in giving this lofty accolade, a lot goes into how I determine books in this class...well-defined characters, a moving an inspired storyline that caters to a viable plot notwithstanding, and whether a book has the symetry in flowing well.
This book has all of it! When faced with a crisis that threatens to tear a well-to-do family apart, Ms Forster gives us a look into a situation that so closely mirrors happenings that would be realistic in life as we see it today -- that of a widowed matriarch on her dying bed having to name a successor to carry on the family legacy, and make sure that the business continue to thrive. In making this choice, Marge Hairston must decide between which of her three grown children she can trust to this task. The characters, Drogan, Cassie, and Sharon lend to the makeup that tackles issues of insecurity, jealousy, competitive mayhem, and behind-the-back conniving that adds to the disengagement of fragile family bonds.
Drogan, the only son is a self-centered individual who allows his vanity to make up for the fortitude he needs to be a decision-maker. He turns it down citing that the change would damage his flamboyant lifestyle. To make matters worse, he's experiencing marital problems of his own with lukewarm wife Imogene, and was depending on an inheritance via the newspaper for retirement When Marge's decision thwarts his grandiose plans, it affects the way he looks at his other two sisters. Cassie is the oldest of the three, who is of snobbish pretentions and possesses the flair for the dramatic also turns the opportunity down; but when Marge chooses youngest daughter Sharon upon her acceptance, all hell breaks loose as the drama builds to a crescendo justifying the choice for Sharon.
The counter affect of Cassie and Drogan giving opinionated views as to why they should've been the ones to be considered first defines the book's illustration of a family gone amok. Ms Forster wastes no time in making this such a poignant read as she gives the characterization a multi-dimentsional presence to weave a storyline that has depth and dynamics.
I liked the cadence of the vernacular of how she were able to make the scenes well worth you wanting to know how it would effect the other characters. In order to ascribe to all that I'm alluding to with this book, one would need to pay attention to the witty dialogue, and how the author paints a good colorful picture in developing both primary and secondary characters. This I surmise to her experience as a writer of countless romance narratives that would give her confidence to give it the flavor needed.
This debut into mainstream fiction will go a long way in readers having the confidence that Gwynne Forster will write with a continuity to give more of the writing style that they may be used to. For Forster fans, this offering is as always perscribed. For those that are reading this author for the first time, it would behoove you to read other novels under her belt to build a following and justify an encore! I urge you to read this book, and judge it for yourself.
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