by Cameron West
First published 1951
Christie Fraser decides to court Cate Conboy on Christmas Eve 1899, though he has met her only once at a family gathering. He travels to visit her at the Poor Farm where her father serves as superintendent. During his stay, Christie discovers the complex world of Cate's family and the residents who live at the institution. He learns about the mysterious figures known as the "diggers" and their connection to the community. As Christie's courtship unfolds, these diggers play an increasingly important role in determining the fate of his relationship with Cate. The story reveals how social circumstances and hidden forces shape personal relationships in turn-of-the-century America.
Genres: romance, american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, american, 19th-century
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: courtship, found-family
Setting: Poor Farm
Period: Christmas Eve 1899
Hardcover · Houghton Mifflin Harcourt