January 2012 Bibliobabbler Title: What is Left the Daughter by Howard Norman

January 10, 2012   Discussion led by Kathy Miksis

A victim of unrequited love, Wyatt Hillyer has lived a half-life. Now that his daughter, whom he does not know, is turning 21, he is determined to give her the only bequest he can, his story. And what a staggering tale of cruel coincidences it is. This haunting saga takes place in Nova Scotia during WWII and actual historical incidents lend narrative power to the multi-layered story. Wyatt’s descent into sorrow begins with his parents’ scandalous deaths. Given shelter by his practical and wise Aunt Constance and gruff Uncle Donald, teenage Wyatt falls hopelessly in love with their adopted daughter, Tilda, who unnerves everyone by marrying a German exchange student while German U-boats prowl the coast. This story of an imperfect and tragic life at a turning point and will leave readers reconsidering Wyatt and the other unique characters long after reading the final pages.