Walter's Muse

Jean Davies Okimoto

Feb 2012 · Endicott & Hugh Books

About this ebook

"It's the first summer of her retirement and librarian Maggie Lewis is relishing the unfolding of sweet summer days on Vashon Island: walking on the beach, reading the classics, and kayaking. But in June when a sudden storm hits the island, Maggie's summer becomes about as peaceful as navigating whitewater. Not only does her wealthy sister arrive uninvited with a startling announcement, but Maggie finds herself entangled with her new Baker's Beach neighbor, Walter Hathaway. A famous children's author and recovering alcoholic, Walter has a history with Maggie they would each like to forget."--Page 4 of cover.

Ratings and reviews

This was a great story to read. The characters are so well fleshed out, you are sure to identify with at least one of them. Maggie has retired from her school librarian job and moved to Vashon Island. She wants to relax, kayak and be left alone. She grew up feeling neglected most of her life. She shares the island with a group of interesting characters. Howie and Mark are a couple who are more than willing to help anyone. They provide fresh produce from their garden. Miss Martha is 91 years old and full of wisdom, as well as a fantastic outlook on life and aging. Then there is Walter. Walter is a well known children’s author and former alcoholic. He is a cranky man who wants nothing more than to be left alone to write. The book opens with a storm. The high winds have caused Walter to fall from a ladder. Maggie who has a history with Walter finds him and gets him help. He asks that she take care of his dog Bill Bailey. While she is handling all of this her sister decides to drop in with some news. Maggie throughout the book grows and learns to stand up for herself. She is full of flaws which made her so believable. She is a person who likes to snoop through other peoples’ things. She admits feeling guilty about it, yet she justifies her reasons for doing it. She and Walter are both people who change throughout the book. It is not one of those books where you find a quick romance or answer to a problem. The relationship develops gradually so that it is believable. I identified with Maggie. Looking at her was like looking at my former self. I’ve had to fight for years not to be my family’s doormat. I love Martha’s bits of wisdom. Even though she is forgetting things more and more she continues to keep a very positive outlook. I enjoyed the book so much I want to recommend it to everyone. I am glad I was given the opportunity

About the author

Jean Davies Okimoto is an author and playwright whose books and short stories have been translated into Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Korean, German and Hebrew. She is the recipient of numerous awards including Smithsonian Notable Book, the American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, the Washington Governor's Award, and the International Reading Association Readers Choice Award.