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D.C. Force has chosen the Northern Midwest where she grew up as the backdrop
for her first novel, FAMILY: a Century of Blood and Tears.
"I grew up in the Chicago area, Force has captured the essence of the Northern
Midwest ... outstanding portraits of the people, places, and times..."
--Rick Boyer, veteran novelist
Force tackles some very strong adult themes including the breakdown
of the family, loosening of societal morals, the failures of traditional
religions, denominational feuding, domestic abuse, adultery, child neglect,
and prejudices; themes which everyone can relate to on some level, no matter
their hometown, ethnic or religious background.
"Ms Force doesn't write like a beginner...[her] novel... crackles like
lightning... her characters stand out from the page as in bold relief... fully
human in an invigorating and increasingly rare way." --Dr. James Addison,
English Dept. Western Carolina University
FAMILY: a Century of Blood and Tears paints an insightful
portrait of five generations. Beginning in 1911 as immigrants are taking
root in a predominantly German community in upper Wisconsin, the story
follows the family tree as it branches out coast to coast to become,
by 1999, an ethnic melting pot microcosm mirroring the country itself.
Force flawlessly recreates a bygone era capturing a slice of common history,
and depicts the character of the people in crisp three-dimensional detail
right down to their unique regional accents.
Foregoing traditional chapters, FAMILY is structured into nine sections,
each representing a day in a new decade. The story opens as immigrants
celebrate bringing in the New Year of 1911. Long before the creation of
any social services agencies, the tight-knit farm community bans together
in their own way against the domestic violence in their midst. Leap to 2/2/22;
the next generation is enjoying the boom of the Roaring Twenties and suffering
the heartaches of strong religious prejudices. On 3/3/33, family is a touchstone
for survival and a breeding ground for resentments in the midst of the Depression.
Everyone is caught up in the work, worry, opportunity, and fear of the war
effort on 4/4/44. May 5, 1955 has no resemblance to the "Happy Days" of the TV
sitcom and 6/6/66 finds another generation crippled more by battleground home
fronts than war zones in Vietnam. The continuing disintegration of family
cohesiveness and lack of strong male role models spurs a hunger to reach out
to a Higher Power.
FAMILY: a Century of Blood and Tears skillfully rides out the full
range of human emotions and repeated patterns of mistakes until September 9, 1999
ends on an optimistic note of forgiveness and enlightenment.
"One of the 5 best reads of my career..." --K. Webb, Editor
"I read the book in about 3-4 days after getting it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Usually I read techno-thrillers (mind candy) to relax in the evening after a hard
day here and a book with substance was a real treat. Let me know when your next one is out."
--John Crystal, IT Programmer
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