Children of the desert

"Children of the Desert" by Louis Dodge is a story set near the end of the 19th century that follows Harboro, a railroad worker with a hidden history, and Sylvia Little, a beautiful woman whose family causes whispers in their town of Eagle Pass, as they start their lives together. The novel opens with their scrutinized wedding day, highlighting themes of social expectations and the weight of the past. Harboro is presented as a strong, calm man, while Sylvia’s beauty is contrasted by the cloud of her father’s reputation. Their wedding takes place in a humble church, marking the beginning of their journey as a couple facing community judgment and personal challenges. As they navigate their relationship, the story explores secrecy, social status, and change, inviting readers into the complicated layers of their lives.