If you’ve ever thought of moving to a small town, let me introduce you to the novel, Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon. Consider this a cautionary tale– a warning.
The premise is that a small family consisting of Ned, Beth, and their daughter Kate decide they want to leave the city and move to a small, safe town away from the city. They are looking for safety. Despite a long search, they don’t find their perfect place until they happen upon Cornwall Coombe. This town seems idyllic, and they find the perfect home- but it’s boarded up and the neighbors tell them it’s not for sale. They can’t even talk to the owner because she is in the corn field along with the rest of the town. (Okay… the whole town— WHOLE– town is in the corn field… k. Anyway, they leave a number and a few weeks later they get the call– they can come and see the house– it’s for sale!
The story continues as we get to know the town and the people through Ned. We learn that the town is very tied to traditions. It’s a slow, atmospheric story that is full of dread. About the whole first half is very descriptive– slow, but it serves a purpose. Stick with it because the reward is worth it.
The atmosphere of this story is one of the most important aspects of the story. As we learn about the town, themes evolve such as tradition vs. change, isolation, community, and the power of belief. It’s a pastoral telling with very sinister undertones.
