The End of Always: A Novel

Randi Davenport

May 2014 · Sold by Grand Central Publishing

About this ebook

A stunning debut novel, The End of Always tells the story of one young woman's struggle to rise above a vicious family legacy and take charge of her own life.

In 1907 Wisconsin, seventeen-year-old Marie Reehs is determined: she will not marry a violent man, as did her mother and grandmother before her. Day after day, Marie toils at the local laundry, watched by an older man who wants to claim her for his own. Night after night, she is haunted by the memory of her mother, who died in a mysterious accident to which her father was the only witness. She longs for an independent life, but her older sister wants nothing more than to maintain the family as it was, with its cruel rules and punishments. Her younger sister is too young to understand.

At first, it seems that Marie's passionate love affair with a charismatic young man will lead her to freedom. But she soon realizes that she too may have inherited the Reehs women's dark family curse.

Set in the lush woods and small towns of turn-of-the-century Wisconsin, and inspired by real events in the author's family history, The End of Always is a transcendent story of one woman's desperate efforts to escape a brutal heritage. Both enthralling and deeply lyrical, Randi Davenport's novel is also an intensely affecting testament to the power of determination and hope, and a gripping reminder of our nation's long love affair with violence.

Ratings and reviews

I found myself easily distracted when reading this novel. It was hard to get into, but once the story took off around mid way through, it became easier to follow. I found the little tales and stories in between to be unnecessary and distracting from the actual story, except in the end when one tale actually related to the character herself. I enjoyed the fact that not everyone was on the main character's side, it made the story realistic and went to show you how brainwashed some women were. I am always happy to come across a strong female character in a novel, if you stick it out, you will be happy with the ending.

Disappointed! I was expecting more for the ending. : (

Too sad, men abusing wives

About the author

Randi Davenport studied history and creative writing at William Smith College, where she received a BA, and earned an MA in creative writing/fiction and a PhD in literature at Syracuse University. She has taught or served in administrative positions at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.