The Latecomers

September 3, 2018
As she did in What Was Mine, Ross explores themes of motherhood and family origins in this multigenerational saga. In 1908, 16-year-old Bridey travels from Ireland to New York with her sweetheart Thom in search of financial and romantic independence. But when Thom dies unexpectedly en route, Bridey arrives in America pregnant and alone, struggling to establish a safe and secure future for herself and her child. After a stint in a shirtwaist factory, Bridey is hired as a domestic servant for the wealthy Hollingworth family at their vast Connecticut estate. Bridey and the civic-minded Sarah Hollingworth share vital confidences with one another, but in the wake of a suspicious death, Bridey abruptly discovers the limitations of Sarah’s trust. The sprawling narrative travels back and forth in time, with episodes ranging from 1899 to the present. Modern-day episodes—especially those focused on the events of 9/11 and its aftermath—feel forced and unnecessary, since readers will have already deduced the novel’s central mysteries. Far more intriguing are the stories of Bridey and Sarah, both individually and jointly, as their shared secrets collide with their social status. This is a satisfying blend of historical and familial drama.