by Phil Stong
First published 1972
Abel Frake loads his prize boar Blue Boy into the truck while his wife Melissa packs her pickles and mincemeat for the competition. The Iowa State Fair beckons with its promise of ribbons, romance, and adventure beyond their farm's boundaries. Their daughter Margy dreams of something more exciting than small-town suitors, while son Wayne hopes to prove himself worthy of respect. As the family enters the fairgrounds, each member pursues different desires among the carnival rides, livestock barns, and midway attractions. Margy finds herself drawn to a sophisticated newspaper reporter who represents the wider world she craves. Wayne discovers that winning isn't always about coming in first. The parents face their own challenges as they compete for prizes that matter to them. Over several days, the fair becomes a testing ground where each family member must choose between the familiar comforts of home and the uncertain allure of change.
Genres: fiction, family, 20th-century, american
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Iowa, Iowa State Fair
Period: 20th Century
262 pages · Hardcover · Tom Stacey