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Author Insight
The heavy toll of the Great Depression
This part of the story reflects true life: my grandfather's family. Ten people in all: two parents and eight children. The patriarch and three brothers died between 1929 and 1931. The only other living brother went back to Scotland with his family. One sister ended up in Canada; one in Scotland. One cousin also died. Of that large clan, only three remained in the US by 1935: my grandfather, his mother, and one sister. Hard, hard times.
Book Excerpt
The Man from Burnt Island
“My family’s fallen apart, Margaret. Jimmy’s going back to Scotland. No one left here but my mum and Lill and us. I would have never thought we’d be left alone here. I’m sorry.” He hung his head for a moment. His eyes were uncharacteristically soft when he looked up at Margaret. “We will make it, Margaret. Of all of them – us – we will make it. You and me and little Jackie. I will make sure of that. I promise I will give us a nice life.”
Margaret dipped her head a bit, blushing slightly. She looked up with a softness Frank hadn’t seen in quite a while.
“I know you will, Frank.”
“You know, Margaret…new country, new people – I can be whatever I want to be. I’m going to start using my given name. I told Robbie back in the old country I would claim my name someday.
Today’s the day. Not Frank… From now on, I am introducing myself as Robert. Robert Sharp.”
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