If Our Lives Be Saved

Keenan allows the personalities of the men, women and children of the Collin family to come through in a series of interconnecting diary entries, letters and narratives that span about 80 years. He offers little by way of context but does not have to, as the original documents basically tell it all. Although the family intended to become rich, it also became numerous, sometimes divided, and never quite at peace with itself. In the case of the Collin family the complications, feuds, and misunderstandings that dragged on for years are both intense and vivid, giving readers perhaps an idiosyncratic but true depiction of family and work life in nineteenth century America. This reads like an experimental novel rather than a historical account, making it very accessible to general readers as well as experts. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)