Muskoka, 1914. It's the Age of Elegance in
the summer playground of the affluent and powerful. Amid the pristine,
island-dotted lakes, the granite cliffs, and pine-scented forests of the
Canadian wilderness, the young and carefree amuse themselves with glittering
balls, lavish picnics, and friendly competitions. But this summer promises to
be different when the charming, ambitious, and destitute son of a disowned heir
joins his wealthy family at their cottage on Wyndwood Island.
Through Jack's introduction into the
privileged life of the aristocratic Wyndhams and their social circle -
including captains of industry and financial titans - he seeks opportunities
and alliances to better himself, including in his schemes, his beautiful,
headstrong, and audacious cousin, Victoria.
Among their large circle of family and
friends are hedonists and intellectuals, charlatans and Bohemians, hypocrites
and philanthropists; the witty, the frivolous, the heroic, the autocratic, the
caring, and the tormented. Vividly they bring to life the idyllic lifestyle of
endless summers on tranquil lakes. But their charmed lives begin to unravel
with the onset of the Great War, in which many are destined to become part of
the "lost generation".
This richly textured tale takes the reader
on an unforgettable journey from romantic moonlight cruises to the horrific
sinking of the Lusitania, genteel Muskoka to wartime Britain, regattas on the
water to combat in the skies over France, extravagant mansions to deadly
trenches - from innocence to nationhood.
The Summer Before The Storm, the
first of "The Muskoka Novels", evokes a gracious, bygone era that still
resonates in this legendary land of lakes.
For an immersive "novel" experience, listen to the companion
soundtrack CD of authentically rendered vintage music quoted in the novel.
"Music for Muskoka" was created specifically to accompany The Summer Before
The Storm by ragtime historian and performer,
"Perfessor"
Bill Edwards, who has consistently placed in the top five of the World Championship of Old-Time Piano Playing, and won the
title in 1991.
The CD can be
ordered directly from Bill's website.
To see a
list of the tunes on the CD plus historical notes about each piece, please
visit NovelTunes.com
