How do I begin to describe this powerful and beautifully written saga about 3 generations of the Milton family, the ultimate representation of WASP culture during the 20th century? Blake takes us through the ascent and descent of the Miltons, rulers of their own private kingdom, Crockett Island, off the coast of Maine.

There are secrets and tragedies, but the swirl of anti-Semitism and racial prejudice are recurrent themes in this novel of the "upper-crust." Kitty Milton the matriarch of the family feels absolute satisfaction in the perfection of her life, until one day, it literally goes out the window with the death of a child. Her husband, the banker, Ogden Milton becomes involved on the Nazification of pre-war Germany. Her daughter Joan, commits the greatest sin of all, involvement with a Jew, while her son Moss invites a man of color into their lives.

All of this comes together perfectly in the appearance of Len Levy and Reg Pauling into their staid lives. Levy, the young Jewish banker who is mentored by Ogden and his friend Reg, the extraordinary Black Harvard graduate are the catalysts that allow the reader to see the totally accepted prejudice within the gracious confines of the Milton family, and those around them.

Evie the middle aged college professor is left to try to unravel the family history and make decisions about the future of their island. She is, ironically, married to a Jew. Her digging up the skeletons in the Milton closet and trying to come to terms with her real history make this a novel of compulsive readability. The use of foreshadowing is perfect, the reader is guided to the inevitable ending with such care that the novel is engrossing throughout every section.

Blake writes with such detail and clarity that I was able to picture every scene (and cast all the characters for the film that should follow). I generally am a fast reader, but I had to savor every moment and picture every scene, so I was lucky enough to spend a few days wallowing in the beauty of this novel.

I cannot wait to recommend this to all my book groups and seminars. It contains so much material to think about and discuss. With the rise of anti-Semitism, and hatred, in the world, this is a wonderful jumping off point to understand the deep seated feeling of prejudice against Blacks and Jews.

Thank you Netgalley for this incredible experience. Thank you Sarah Blake for making my life richer by reading this novel. BRAVO!