Ellen Levis: A Novel

"Ellen Levis: A Novel" by Elsie Singmaster is a book that tells the tale of Ellen and Matthew Levis, siblings wrestling with what their family expects of them, their own faith, and what they want out of life. The story starts by showing us the brother and sister's childhood and how the world around them shapes who they are. Early in the story, we also meet Stephen Lanfair, who needs to rethink his career path because of a mistake he made in medical school. Ellen is stuck between her grandfather's old-fashioned religious ideas and her own need to be independent. We realize that both of the siblings are in conflict with their expectations, as her story unfolds and her brother embraces the belief that family is forever. It is a story about love, doing what you're supposed to do, and trying to find yourself.