This week we are exploring the dark side of life in the bucolic country-side with the unnerving novel, Wishbone, by indie author Brooklyn Hudson.
The tale begins with Rachel and Julien Grenier, a well-to-do couple who live on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan. Julien was born on a farm in France, and at the age of 9 he witnessed his father brutally murder his beloved grandfather. He does not share this traumatic experience with anyone, not even his wife, although he is plagued by dreams of the event. A sculptor and artist, Rachel knows that he has has secrets, but is content to leave them be as they don't intrude on their life together.
Unfortunately, Rachel is the victim of a brutal attack that culminates in the miscarriage of their baby; a child that Julien was unaware of and would not have wanted.
Rachel sinks into depression bordering on madness, and is ruled by her fears. Julien is desperate to bring her back to normal. To escape the past and give Rachel a new start in life, Julien quits his job and finds a home in the country, a lovely old Victorian that Rachel falls in love with.
King's Hollow appears at first to be the miracle they prayed for. The one thing that Julien is not really on board with is the Chickens that come along with the place, but eventually he accepts them. The chickens are cared for by a developmentally disabled seventeen-year old, named Sarah.
Sarah even does the butchering of the chickens, and although she is unhappy at eating a 'pet', Rachel cooks it up and finds it to be the best chicken she ever ate, as does Julien. At the end of their meal, they take the wishbone, and play the game of wishing on it.
This begins a series of events, and their life together takes a strange turn, directly into the Twilight Zone.
I could not put this book down. Julien is handsome and strong, and loving and giving despite his secrets. Once they begin the game they cannot quit, nor can they stick to the rules they set for themselves. Rachael is no longer herself and Julien is experiencing a string of bad luck and unfortunate accidents.
And at the center of everything is Sarah and her beloved chickens.
This book will have you thinking long after you put it down. I don't think that I will ever see a Thanksgiving dinner again and not think about this book!
