It’s 1927, in Middleton, somewhere in the middle of the United States.
After their mother vanishes, two young brothers – Amos, 12 and Horace, 10 – find themselves facing a six-month stay at an orphanage while their father sorts out his life. Three years on the elder son runs away, leaving the younger behind. The brothers meet again for the first time after more than thirty years at their father’s deathbed. They fight and storm out of the house in different directions.
Thirty-odd years further on, Horace’s son receives a letter and a notebook, offering revelations about his family’s history. If only he’ll come half-way across America …
The Fleetwood Half-Orphan Asylum is a story of brotherhood and family secrets. It deals with race, religion, what caring means, and – most of all – love and the absence thereof.
5* reviews on Amazon and Goodreads:
“THE FLEETWOOD HALF-ORPHAN ASYLUM is an inventive novel that provokes serious thought and offers numerous insights. It is artful, engaging and highly recommended.” – Robert Crooke, author of Letting the House Go and other novels
“This is a beautifully written, deeply humane novel about brotherhood, loss and the long shadows cast by family silence. … This is a thoughtful, moving and richly layered novel about the need for love and belonging across a lifetime. I found it deeply affecting and warmly recommend it.” – Natalia
Get my novel, The Fleetwood Half-Orphan Asylum, at Amazon, other retailers – or with a subscription to “Don Nordberg (is/on) writing”