Book Review of Eleanor Bertin's Lifelines by Sharon Espeseth

Eleanor Bertin signs each copy of her novel Lifelines with her own quote: "Never underestimate the powerful influence of an ordinary godly life." Eleanor' confesses that her protagonist, Anna Fawcett, is modelled after her own mother, who lived an ordinary but fruitful life.

Anna lived life as a calling to be an example to others and to speak the truth, even though it might be inconvenient to those who receive it. A "young" senior, Anna was a caregiver, friend and confidante to many.

Because Anna makes herself available to others, we meet an interesting cast of characters. First on the scene is Dr. Robert Q.M. Fielding, a  biology professor at Red Deer College, who has moved next door to Anna. Presently, he survives on fast food. Robert is vexed with himself for a number of reasons--and right now, for his accepting a dinner, no, make that a supper invitation from the widow next door. This woman lives in the bungle beside his with her "twenty-something" son, who was born with Down's syndrome.

What on earth would they talk about? Robert wonders as he walks toward Anna' front door and contemplates an evening of making conversation "with this simple woman and her son."

Robert is greeted cheerily by Anna Fawcet and ushered into the homey living room. To his surprise, he quickly discovers Anna, the widow of a farmer, is an avid reader and has a large and eclectic collection of books. To his delight, he discovers Anna is also a marvellous cook and her seemingly dependent son enjoys baking, hence the yeasty smell of buns coming from the kitchen.

Anna is delighted to have a biology professor with whom she can discuss her concern about Darwin's theory on "random chance evolution" and other thought-provoking topics.

Through Anna, we meet Amelia, who is single and pregnant; Joan, a bristly neighbour Robert has encountered briefly; a few of Anna's friends from church; a verbose doomsday-seeking neighbour who is ill; and several of Professor Fielding's co-workers from the college.

Skillfully moving these interesting and disparate people around on an imaginary stage that is her first novel, Bertin develops a compelling story that establishes her theme. "Lifelines"--be they life before birth, connections with others, the plight of the differently abled, the meaning of life and faith, or the way life evolves for ordinary folk--all unwind in their own way, spinning toward an unexpected, but satisfying conclusion.