Fin and Lady

Fin and Lady by Cathleen Schine

The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Vietnam War, Woodstock, sit-ins, hippies.......

Ah, the 1960s..........

Fin is just eleven years old, but he knows the meaning of being alone, so alone. His beloved mother has died of cancer, his stern, unreachable
father gone, too.  It seems that his older half-sister, Lady, is now his guardian-what a sight to behold with her stunningly beautiful good looks, haughty attitude, and progressive thinking. Apparently she had a  toxic relationship with their father.  Why?  Now Fin must leave the farm in rural Connecticut and move to Greenwich Village in New York where Lady maintains a most intoxicating lifestyle. 

Fin soon realizes that this relationship is destined to be quite unconventional.  Lady may be older, but not necessarily wiser, and he finds himself often taking on the role of the adult.  Lady attracts suitors with such ease it is frightening. Yet she finds it impossible to feel love. That is, until a trip to Capri.  Here she allow herself to become emotionally vulnerable. She  feels the pain of unrequited love for the first time.  And once again Fin is there for her as she has been for him.  As Lady's life takes a dramatic turn, a young, naive sibling may be the answer to her prayers after all.

This novel is quirky, playful, even comical at times. Also poignantly sad.  A coming-of-age story that highlights those turbulent times with references to music, politics, assassinations, and war.  A heartfelt, bittersweet story of two lost "orphans" who form an impenetrable bond.

Can you guess the identity of the narrator?