
Arcadia
About this book
In the fields of western New York State in the 1970s, a few dozen idealists set out to live off the land, founding a commune centered on the grounds of a decaying mansion called Arcadia House. Arcadia follows this romantic utopian dream from its hopeful start through its heyday. Arcadia’s inhabitants include Handy, the charismatic leader; his wife, Astrid, a midwife; Abe, a master carpenter; Hannah, a baker and historian; and Abe and Hannah’s only child, Bit. While Arcadia rises and falls, Bit, too, ages and changes. He falls in love with Helle, Handy’s lovely, troubled daughter. And eventually he must face the world beyond Arcadia.
Subjects
Coming of ageNineteen sixtiesFictionCommunal livingLarge type booksHippiesHomecomingFiction, family lifeFiction, coming of ageNew york (state), fictionNew York Times reviewedFiction, family life, generalBildungsromans