by Ann Coulter
First published 1997
Margaret Chen arrives at the remote mountain cabin she inherited from her great-aunt, expecting a simple weekend of cleaning and preparation for sale. Instead, she discovers a collection of architectural drawings hidden in the walls, each depicting a different style of American dwelling. The sketches lead her on a journey across the country, from New England saltboxes to Pacific Northwest chalets, as she searches for the mystery architect who created them. Along the way, Margaret encounters the families who live in these homes, each struggling with their own version of the American dream. She must decide whether to honor her great-aunt's final wishes or pursue her own growing connection to a way of life she never understood. The houses become more than structures as Margaret learns how people shape their homes and how homes shape the people within them.
Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary, architecture
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: America, New England, Pacific Northwest, Remote Mountain
Period: Contemporary
143 pages · Hardcover · Doubleday Canada