Read an Excerpt

A
young woman primed to enter adulthood. An older man, distinguished
thinker, father of four, married to a woman who is his complete
equal. A summer in New Hampshire at the turn of the last century
changes both of their lives, when Olympia Biddeford, the only child
of a prominent Boston couple, and John Haskell, a married man, a
father, nearly three times her age, throw themselves somewhat
recklessly into a hopelessly passionate but ultimately
heartbreaking affair. With no concern for propriety and
self-preservation, Olympia plunges forward with cataclysmic results
--- the price of straying in an unforgiving era. Olympia is cast
out of the world she knows. FORTUNE'S ROCKS tells the story of her
determination to reinvent her broken life --- and take back the
love she finds she cannot live without.

Reading this book reveals that in the past 100 years, there are a
few things that have not changed, like truth, desire, and the
inexplicable consequences of both. The fact that the story takes
place at the beginning of the last century, with its religious
zealots and dim hopes for the future gives it an even greater
resonance for contemporary readers. FORTUNE'S ROCKS is a
beautifully, gently written novel with all the trimmings of both a
coming-of-age story as well as the passionate yet complicated
comminglings one finds in the work of Edith Wharton. The thing I
like most about the character of Olympia is that she trusts her own
heart, regardless of the consequences, and knows that the gentile
place from which she has grown is not the best arena for real
growth. By accepting the pain of her decisions, she is a truly
independent young woman.

As a study of the secret erotic lives of all women as well as an
exploration of class prejudices, and the growing pains and actions
of a remarkably forthright and adventurous young lady who is ahead
of her time, FORTUNE'S ROCKS is a masterpiece of narrative drama,
beautifully written by one of the most accomplished novelists of
our time.