The quiet room

the long version

" ... the story of a woman from the second-generation, German-immigrant community of Evansville, Indiana. During the early twentieth century this community finds itself lashed by the sweep of local and global events that leave no one untouched." " The novel follows the steps and missteps of Liese Stephens, daughter of an evangelical preacher and his ailing, passionless wife. Neither spare time for their daughter and both are oblivious to her mistreatment at the hands of an elder. Thrust by default into the responsibilities of adulthood while still a child, Liese stumbles in relationships with the men in her life - her young cousin by marriage, an Irish farmhand, and a worldly-wise railroad man. Each introduce her to unfamiliar terrain and temptation, yet the scars of her early days leave Liese unable to respond on an emotional level."--Back cover.