First published 2012
Janet Lisle traces the inhabitants of Little Compton across thirteen decades of American change. The narrative begins in 1820 and follows families and individuals as they experience the upheavals of the Civil War and adapt to the transformations of the early twentieth century. Residents face the challenges of wartime, economic shifts, and social evolution while maintaining their community bonds. The story spans generations, showing how earlier decisions shape later lives and how external forces reshape this small town. Thirty-three contemporary artworks by local creators accompany the text alongside dozens of historical photographs from the Little Compton Historical Society archives. Through personal stories and community events, Lisle reveals how ordinary people respond to extraordinary times and how a place preserves its identity across generations of change.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, 19th-century, local-history, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, historical-fiction
Setting: Little Compton
Period: 1820, Civil War, Early 20th Century
375 pages · Hardcover · Little Compton Historical Society