The bloom is on this vine
I approach this review from a biased perspective, having learned a good bit about the background of the author. Jetta Carleton grew up in Western Missouri, the location used in the novel. Her dream since graduation from the University of Missouri in th late 30s was to become a writer, and with this book she certainly achieved that goal. The story about a farm family's joys, pains and challenges is well constructed through careful studies of the people themselves and how they related to each other and how each impacted the others. It appears almost autobiographical, which I suspect it is to some degree. I have bought several copies to pass around to friends as I try to revive the memory of Jetta, some 70 years or so after she left Mizzou. There remains a mystery manuscript for another book, which I hope will see the light of day. As it is now, The Moonflower Vine is Jetta's only book. I highly recommend it.
