1919 - Misfortune's End

1919 – Misfortune’s End is a novel by Paula Phelan published in 2007 by ZAPmedia of New York. The novel explores the lives of two fictional families, one Irish American and the other African American.

[edit] Plot introduction

1919 - Misfortune's End a novel Written by award-winning writer Paula Phelan, this novel of historical fiction explores the lives of two families, one Irish American and the other African American, as they interact with historical figures of the day including J. Edgar Hoover, Woodrow Wilson, W.E.B. Dubois, Emma Goldman, Margaret Sanger and Helen Keller. Ms. Phelan reveals how, in the face of unimaginable challenges, it is human nature to remain hopeful.

Two American families face a year of enormous significance, turmoil and change. The War to End All Wars was over. The Plague of 1918 had swept through urban areas with a vengeance, killing more than a million citizens and mysteriously subsiding. However, instead of celebrating their survival through these excruciating times, four million workers went on strike, inflation hit 500%, and prohibition became law - unleashing the pestilence of organized crime. Good and bad times live side by side as people move from the days of a simpler past. The hope of carving out a new life motivates our characters that are experiencing early advancements in radio communication and entertainment and the invention of improvements for the home. Although our characters did not know it at the time, the groundwork for the roaring 20s was being set in place including the casting off of old ideas, a devil may care attitude and a relaxing of social mores. The year 1919 is a reminder that things can always get worse, but through the vibrancy of the human spirit, things can get better too.

[edit] Characters

The Kelly Family of Boston:

Patrick Sr. ~ police officer of 28 years; lives in Charlestown, MA
Harriet~ wife of Patrick Sr.; temperance advocate
Thomas~ eldest son; lawyer
Patricia~ eldest daughter; suffragette
Patrick Jr. ~ son, maimed in war; fireman Rosie~ wife of Patrick Jr. *Liam~ son of Patrick Jr. and Rosie; four years old

The novel takes place after the deaths of three of the Kelly children, Erin, James, and Timothy, as a result of influenza.

The Johnson Family of Washington DC:

Benjamin~ works as secretary and aide to President Woodrow Wilson
Claire ~ wife of Benjamin; manages domestic staff and events for art collector Duncan Phillips, related to Madame Walker
June ~ eldest daughter; nurse
Emmet ~ eldest son; just returning from war
Louvenia ~ middle daughter; inventor
Kay ~ youngest daughter; singer and actress

Like the Kellys, the Johnsons also lost a child in 1918, Roy, to the influenza epidemic.