The Effects of Aging

People change as they age, and this novel demonstrates the changes that take place in the lives of several characters. Young characters, such as Russell, Tansy, and Charlie, begin to change as a result of shelving unrealistic dreams, recognizing new responsibilities, and planning a solid future. The older characters, O.C., Aunt Maud, and Miss Myrt, experience health issues that bring change.

As the novel opens, Russell is a 15-year-old who is looking forward to beginning a different kind of life. Russell wants to travel north to the Dakotas where he imagines a wonderful life as part of the huge threshing crews that work the wheat harvests there. Russell has limited information about the journey, and he knows very little about life in the Dakotas. The lack of details does not deter him. When Russell's father, O.C., takes Russell on a rare...