*Editorial Book Review*
Water Music: A Cape Cod Story
By Marcia Peck
By Marcia Peck
Publication Date: 5th May 2023
Publisher: Sea Crow Press
Page Length: 244
Genre: Historical Fiction
The bridge at Sagamore was closed when we got there that summer of 1956. We had to cross the canal at Buzzards Bay over the only other roadway that tethered Cape Cod to the mainland.
Thus twelve-year-old Lily Grainger, while safe from ‘communists and the Pope,’ finds her family suddenly adrift. That was the summer the Andrea Doria sank, pilot whales stranded, and Lily’s father built a house he couldn't afford. Target practice on a nearby decommissioned Liberty Ship echoed not only the rancor in her parents' marriage, a rancor stoked by Lily’s competitive uncle, but also Lily’s troubles with her sister, her cousins, and especially with her mother. In her increasingly desperate efforts to salvage her parents' marriage, Lily discovers betrayals beyond her understanding as well as the small ways in which people try to rescue each other. She draws on her music lessons and her love of Cape Cod—from Sagamore and Monomoy to Nauset Spit and the Wellfleet Dunes, seeking safe passage from the limited world of her salt marsh to the larger, open ocean.
“Money can’t buy a better meal. Just because it costs more doesn’t make lobster any the finer. A measure of Beethoven sounds no better in the ear of a wealthy man. And there is no clam anywhere tastier, fresher, or more perfectly cooked than the one you are swallowing right now.”
Although her father’s words are wise, eleven-year-old Lily Grainger knows that money will be needed to build her father’s dream of a summer residence on the 15 acres of land he purchased in Cape Cod.
For years, they made do with the converted Play House and a tent, but now the builders are set to start the long-awaited project. However, as financial troubles threaten her father's plans, tension grows between her parents.
Will this summer finally bring her father’s dreams to fruition, or will it become a summer that changes all their lives forever?
“Water Music: A Cape Cod Story” by Marcia Peck is an unforgettable exploration of family dynamics and the bittersweet essence of childhood summers. This compelling narrative immerses readers in the summer of 1956, where the sun-drenched beaches and rhythmic sound of the waves serve as both a beautiful backdrop and a poignant metaphor for the ebb and flow of family relationships. This story transcends mere nostalgia; it serves as a powerful reminder of how our past shapes who we are.
The narrative unfolds within a secluded community where life revolves around the serene waters of the "pond". At the centre of this idyllic setting is the Play-House, a charming temporary refuge for the Grainger family as they save up to build their own summer dream home on a picturesque plot of land. This ambitious purchase, however, stirs a maelstrom of anxiety and disagreement between Lily’s parents, adding layers of tension to the story. Yet, with the unwavering self-assurance characteristic of an 11-year-old, Lily remains optimistic. She believes that once the house is completed, her mother will realise the worries were unfounded and embrace the joy of their new life.
Across the tranquil expanse of the pond stands Uncle George’s imposing residence, affectionately dubbed “Bunker Hill.” However, the size of this house serves as a constant reminder to Lily’s parents of the wealth and success her Uncle George enjoys, contrasting starkly with her parents' own aspirations and anxieties around money.
The characters in this story are intricately developed, making them both engaging and relatable. Lily, the perceptive narrator, keenly observes the complex dynamics of her family, providing readers with a lens into their emotional landscape. Her father, Weston, is a pragmatic man with a heart of gold, striving to fulfil his duties as a provider while navigating the disappointment of his own unrealised dreams. The money towards building the summer residence is a constant worry for both him and his wife. Lydia, Lily’s mother, is a complicated character whose creative endeavours serve as both an escape and a means of expression. With her reserved demeanour, she often seems detached from the daily happenings of family life; at times, she appears to be simply going through the motions. She is more financially astute than her husband and cannot really understand his desire to build a summer residence that they simply cannot afford. Dodie, Lily’s older sister, can climb a tree and read a book with the same amount of pleasure. Lily looks up to her sister and often thinks that Dodie would know what to do in any given situation, whereas Lily sometimes flounders. The interactions among the family members are charged with a mix of tension and vulnerability, revealing their unique personalities and the subtle fractures that lie beneath their shared façade. These complexities weave a rich narrative, inviting readers to delve into the intricate web of family relationships.
Uncle George emerges as a formidable presence within the family; his domineering personality and lack of sensitivity often cast a shadow over family gatherings. In stark contrast, Aunt Fanny embodies fragility and passivity, often retreating into the background, amplifying the family dynamics with her quiet demeanour. Gloria, with her eye-catching, flamboyant style and fierce independence, serves as a breath of fresh air, consistently challenging Uncle George’s authority and stirring the pot of family drama. Her presence underscores the existing tensions between Weston and Lydia, hinting at an unsettling affair that Lily, naïve to these adult complexities, cannot grasp. For the reader, the subtle clues of this affair between George and Gloria unfold with an air of inevitability that casts a shadow over Aunt Fanny’s health.
Though Lydia’s mother, BerthaMelrose, remains elusive until the end of the novel, her chilling impact is felt throughout. BerthaMelrose is depicted as a self-absorbed woman, lacking any maternal instincts or warmth toward Lydia, her only daughter. This emotional neglect suggests a painful lineage, implying that Lydia’s coldness toward her own children stems from her tumultuous upbringing, marked by abuse and rejection as BerthaMelrose’s unwanted child. Through these detailed layers, the narrative invites readers to explore the profound effect of familial relationships and the generational patterns that shape them.
Peck’s detailed descriptions of the surroundings not only enhance the vividness of the setting but also deepen the emotional complexity among the characters. Amidst this backdrop, Lily finds solace in her beloved Triple Tree, an ancient oak with sprawling branches that seem to cradle her. It is here, in this sacred space, that Lily, her sister, and their cousin can retreat from the demands of reality, allowing their imaginations to soar as they weave dreams and adventures within the leaves.
The enduring power of music serves as a central theme that weaves through the narrative. Despite the distractions of summertime adventures with her sister and cousin, Lily dedicates herself to daily practising her cello. Each time she picks up her bow and begins to play, the echoing notes become a comforting routine in her life. To ensure she remains focused during the summer months, Lily’s father hires a skilled tutor, Mr Metcalf. With patience and enthusiasm, he reveals to Lily the enchanting world hidden within musical notation. Under his guidance, she discovers that practising is not just about perfecting notes and rhythms; it is a magical experience that unlocks emotions and stories waiting to be expressed. As summer draws to a close, Lily becomes increasingly determined to showcase her talent at the annual talent show held at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Her ambition is fuelled by her mother, Lydia, an accomplished pianist. Lydia’s music is her refuge, a place where she finds solace from the challenges of daily life. Meanwhile, Aunt Fanny joins in, her violin efforts reflecting her love for music, though she lacks the natural talent of her sister-in-law. Yet, with every note she plays, she radiates joy, proving that the heart of music lies not in perfection, but in the sheer pleasure of creation. As the narrative unfolds, readers are treated to vivid descriptions of soaring arpeggios that seem to dance in the air, embodying a sense of beauty and freedom. Through Lily’s journey, the story beautifully illustrates how music connects individuals, transcending barriers and nurturing the soul.
This novel immerses readers in a vivid exploration of nostalgia and introspection, skillfully interlacing threads of anxiety and tension that run subtly beneath the storyline. Peck artfully illuminates the irrepressible joy and freedom of childhood, painting scenes filled with sun-drenched afternoons of laughter, unrestrained playfulness, and the intoxicating sweetness of discovery. For the adults in this novel, things are slightly more complicated, Peck highlighting the heavier burdens of responsibility, societal expectations, and the inevitable confrontation and the weighty realities of life.
“Water Music: A Cape Cod Story” by Marcia Peck is a must-read for anyone longing to reconnect with the joys and struggles of family life, making it not just a tale of summers gone by, but a heartfelt reflection on the enduring bonds that define us.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Marcia Peck
They say all first novels are part memoir, and indeed I did grow up in Belleville, New Jersey, my family did spend our summers on Cape Cod, and I had a marvelous cello teacher who very much resembled Alphius Metcalf. It took me a long time to write WATER MUSIC; in some ways, my whole life.
Growing up with parents who were both musicians, I set out, with a little goading from my father, to be the best cellist I could be. In fact, I was lucky to have had a number of remarkable teachers: Orlando Cole, revered cellist and pedagogue, who saw enough early promise in me to accept me to his class at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where I received my Bachelor of Music degree. It was an incredible break for an unsophisticated girl from New Jersey. I remember him and his generous sense of decency and gentlemanly kindness with great affection and gratitude.
My luck continued when I spent two years studying in Germany in the Master Class of the renowned Italian cellist, Antonio Janigro. Since then I’ve spent my musical career with the Minnesota Orchestra, where I met and married the handsome fourth horn player. And where my formidable colleagues, incredibly, only get better and better and better.
I’ve spent my summers with the Grand Teton Music Festival in Wyoming, renewing ties with musician friends from around the world (and catching up on industry gossip). There, over the years, I also learned the pleasures of backpacking. I came to fancy myself a mycologist, but in truth I’ve become so rusty that I now limit myself to store-bought and the occasional Morel foraged on a really good day.
The first book I truly fell in love with was Blue Willow by Doris Gates. I must have been in grammar school. I believe that the beloved china plate in that book finds its echo in WATER MUSIC. A college boyfriend got me reading The Lord of the Rings, which I uncharacteristically found bewitching, and T.S. Eliot, which I tried with only marginal success to memorize. Around that time I discovered The Lives and Times of Archy and Mehitabel by Don Marquis. And Mahler’s Tenth. Yes. Eclectic.
My own writing life snuck up on me. It first manifested as a journal after my daughter was born. She tolerated my reading to her for a charitably long time, but she put her foot down when I suggested Watership Down, which by then she was perfectly capable of reading herself. Two of my favorites from her early days: Grandfather Twilight by Barbara Berger and A Chair for My Mother by Vera Williams.
Books I’ve loved as an adult…way too many to name. But The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy made a huge impression on me. And A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I used to go on kicks: John Gardner, Wallace Stegner, Steinbeck, the ancient Greece novels by Mary Renault. Now the stack grows higher and higher.
Pet peeve: incorrect direct object pronouns. In fact my friends would call me a grammar nerd, but I still get lay and lie wrong.
Growing up, I was a cat person. But I’ve learned to love dogs—even the naughty ones, maybe especially the naughty ones.
All in all, I look for the rhythms and sounds of music echoed in language and aspire to transpose some of that into my writing.
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