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Wanted
Housekeeper Could
lead to yr. round proposition. Appeared in local weekly more than 50 years ago along with many other customs in a then small summer resort in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Another Spring is the gift of memory – one year recalling the life and people from the poorest residents to seasonal members of the Greenwood Colony Club. Reed Hunter an Outsider a WWII combat veteran, an Ivy Leaguer briefly a member of the NYC jet set supported by a wealthy young woman from which he was abruptly released because of her untimely accidental death decides to continue his writing and tell the truth about a society he regards as generally inferior. From his remote rundown farm maintaining the necessary distance to assure objective judgments, he slowly grudgingly becomes involved. Roger Yardley, the benign long time editor of the local weekly, from his window on Main Street, has been keeping a secret diary recording rumors along with facts carefully cross referenced in the belief that what was said about someone was frequently close to the truth. His constant concerns were the awful consequences should it get into the wrong hands – as of course it does. Filled with fascinating authentic characters, seduction, humor, mystery, romance this novel is for both those old enough to remember and those of more recent vintage who will regard this as an important souvenir of a place so many have come to love. |
Another Spring is the story of life in a small NH resort town in 1950 - 55 years ago - just at the first signs of the Big Change. It is the story of Reed Hunter, a veteran of aerial combat in WW II, determined to write a novel depicting the truth about people and confirm his negative opinion.
Hunter buys a rundown farm, living on a self enforced lack of income and apart from the community in order to maintain his objectivity.
His involuntary and gradual involvement in some of the small town’s high and low life does little to change his mind. Hunter’s discovery of the bloody corpse in an old cellar hole is sufficiently shocking, but it is the Sheriff’s lack of interest in finding the killer and readiness to blame the deed on person or persons unknown - ‘some feller from down country who did the town a favor’- causes Hunter to explode publicly and accept that act as proof of his negative judgment of the Town. He pledges to bring in the real police to find the murderer.
His novel consumes him. The pressure for its completion is hampered by his lack of funds. He had given himself one year to complete it.
And of course there were far too many distractions: the beautiful blonde wood nymph ready, on the advice of her Aunt Pearl, to become his housekeeper – a country term for mistress; the physical goddess, Bea Lockwood an English Instructor at Smith, afraid of the consequences of her gorgeous body; Stella Michaud, a saucy shacker who believed her body was the passport to security along with several other locals seeking advice of an educated young man.
All of the characters are real and compelling – unforgettable.
This is social history in story form, of interest to every American regardless of location or present residence. We have changed dramatically over those fifty-five years – in attitude and values.
Hunter had to learn to understand people, particularly in a small town with no place for its people to hide, who in those days lived their entire lives within a few miles of one another.
It’s a love story with very real personal conflicts punctuated with laughter..
First and only paperback edition in 55 years!
Another Spring is Maxfield’s second novel. For information, brief bio and critical acclaim as well as the opportunity to purchase Legacy of a Spy please click here. The NY times wrote “one of the best espionage novels ever written” Published now in 17 editions, in print since 1959, made into a film, Legacy has sold over a million copies in nine languages world wide.
Little,Brown, Another Spring’s original publisher decided - on the date of publication - not to promote it. No reason given. They did not. I purchased the remainder and some years later sold all but ten copies at $25.00. I will be sending out review copies but with the exception of “a small town classic” there are no reviews. You the reader will be the judge, and it is true that it is word of mouth that continues to provide Legacy its popularity and long life. Harper&Bros, Legacy’s original publisher, provided almost no promotion either. This is the first soft cover edition of Another Spring
I’ll have to choose better publishers in future – and acquire an Agent who will protect my interests.
I have a body of work – six completed novels - reflecting the times in which they were written – all page turners peopled with interesting characters – always a good yarn.
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