The Daughters of Erietown

A Novel

By: Connie Schultz

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Hidden desires, long-held secrets, and the sacrifices people make for family are at the heart of this powerful first novel by the popular Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist.

“A moving, unforgettable story about time, progress, and how the mistakes of one generation get repeated or repaired by the next.”—J. Courtney Sullivan, New York Times bestselling author of Saints for All Occasions

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST AND NEW YORK POST

1957, Clayton Valley, Ohio. Ellie has the best grades in her class. Her dream is to go to nursing school and marry Brick McGinty. A basketball star, Brick has the chance to escape his abusive father and become the first person in his blue-collar family to attend college. But when Ellie learns that she is pregnant, everything changes. Just as Brick and Ellie revise their plans and build a family, a knock on the front door threatens to destroy their lives.

The evolution of women’s lives spanning the second half of the twentieth century is at the center of this beautiful novel that richly portrays how much people know—and pretend not to know—about the secrets at the heart of a town, and a family.

Critic reviews

“Connie Schultz’s The Daughters of Erietown is a quiet force of a novel. It crept up on me, much the same way that time creeps up on these characters. I was struck by how well Schultz portrays a full life—childhood to old age—and all the small moments that shape us, for better or for worse. Its ambitious scope will leave readers wanting to curl up with it until they’ve finished.”—Mary Beth Keane, New York Times bestselling author of Ask Again, Yes

“The kind of smart, authentic story that both men and women will find riveting. Don’t miss it.”—The Washington Post

“Effortless . . . Too often, novels feature the extravagant trials and tribulations of the wealthy while ignoring the working men and women who live paycheck to paycheck. Not Ms. Schultz. . . . [She] brings authenticity to her writing about working-class families. . . . The Daughters of Erietown could be the daughters of every town. And Ms. Schultz should be proud to be called its mother.”—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“This is a big, deep, warm, and moving story of unforgettable women who make and shape their families. With the eye and ear of a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and the insight and language of a born storyteller, Schultz immerses us in The Daughters of Erietown, from love to loss and back.”—Amy Bloom, New York Times bestselling author of White Houses

“Connie Schultz has long been one of the great chroniclers of the American Dream, telling the true stories of everyday men and women with compassion, heart, wit, and wisdom. Her powerful debut novel contains all that, plus the essential magic that only fiction can provide. Schultz offers up a deep exploration of the inner lives of one family. Their hopes, desires, and heartaches blaze forth on every page.”—J. Courtney Sullivan, New York Times bestselling author of Saints for All Occasions

“A sweeping, heartfelt tale . . . Schultz enlivens the narrative with sharp cultural commentary and precise period details. This story of family secrets rises above— and is tougher than—the rest.”—Publishers Weekly

“While Schultz’s compelling narrative and realistic characters will keep readers turning pages into the night, her eye and ear for real-life details set this novel apart from other domestic sagas. Part tragic love story, part powerful testament to shifting cultural norms and the evolution of the women’s movement, The Daughters of Erietown is an impressive first novel with a big heart.”—BookPage

“Like Jennifer Weiner’s Mrs. Everything . . . the novel sharply illuminates evolving social mores and tucks in plenty of womanly wisdom. . . . A masterful debut novel.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Beautiful

What a beautiful generational saga. It was an emotional tale that had me laughing, crying, and at times teeming with anger. Well written and beautifully performed.

An authentic tale.

No punches pulled... this author takes us from the oppressive innocent 50:
thru the evolving technical era. Marriage and family are the only things that remain the same and matter the most.

Beautiful tapestry of chapters & time

The characters, the storyline, the glimpse into that period of time! Thank you Connie - beautiful story ❤️

Fabulous

The best book I've read in a long time. A good old fashion family story. Well read.

Hated Having to Put It Down to Sleep!

Having grown up in Northeast Ohio and being just a few years older than Sam, there is so much in this book that is iconic of the place, and time, and the experiences. I feel like I know all these characters as composites of people I knew growing-up or that their lives have intersected with mine. The story is beautifully told in language both descriptive and economic with just enough detail to see clearly, but never so much as to flog a dead horse.

Listening to the audiobook was a wicked indulgence and the narrator did an excellent job, voicing the characters consistently and making clear their feelings.

I usually don't like books that go down a path and then loop back in time to pick up another path and all the while thinking "what's the point? ". i did not have that experience with this book, although listening rather than reading may have helped that for me.

An solid first novel for Ms Schultz. If a good book leaves you wanting more in a good way, this one is a success! Although I can finish the story in my own mind, I'm hoping for a sequel to see where the author wants to take us. if she does, I'm along for the ride!