Jericho River

'Gus Speth’s gentle, insightful novel follows the lives that make up a small town - all the hopes, dreams and tragedies - and explores how trust is tended, how resilience is built, and out of those individual threads weaves a pattern of community, underpinned by the love and kindness that recovers and nourishes the human spirit.' Paul Winter, composer and musicianDuring the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s, the small Vermont village of Jericho River has its share of engaging and sometimes endearing townspeople, and the journal of solitary observer Clare Pascal chronicles their stories. Clare comes to appreciate that she is not writing random stories but is witness to something beautiful. Orphaned Helen Merci overcomes childhood tragedy and grows to womanhood with Clare’s devotion and the concerned support of her fatherly uncle and others. Her resilience inspires villagers who tackle deep losses, threatened lives, and the mystery of a murder.Even as Clare is confined by poor health, she has her own views about profound changes in the nation and how they are transforming the lives of her friends and neighbors. Clare comes to see little Jericho River as a challenge to that world.For today’s troubled times, Jericho River provides a tender and uplifting story affirming that the odds are good that we can make it if we are embraced in a community of caring, decent people. There is hope here and a belief in the possibility of human goodness. 6