Light in the Company of Women

Darleen R. Golke is a high-school teacher and librarian in Winnipeg.

The first in a proposed series of historical romances set in
Maillard’s native West Virginia, Light in the Company of Women focuses
on the coming of age of Sarsfield Middleton. Born to a genteel,
semi-invalid mother and a brash, alcoholic Irish immigrant father,
Sarsfield feels trapped by his obligations and his emotions. His futile
love for his wealthy and beautiful cousin, Julia, and his passion and
talent for color photography are the focal points in this tale of life
in turn-of-the-century Raysburg.

In detailed notes at the end of the novel, Maillard explains that he
attempted to “write in a style inspired by, and similar to, the
general style of popular fiction” of the era. He read and skimmed
novels to “look for the elusive flavour of the period; for attitudes,
ideas, and preoccupations; for the rhythms and diction of the prose.”
He succeeds nicely; the prose is elegant and flowing, the dialogue is
deft, and there are some fine characterizations. This is a promising
start to a much-anticipated series.