Mary Minds Her Business

"Mary Minds Her Business" by George Weston is a story that kicks off with a deep dive into the Spencer family's past, a family known for their hard work and the success of their wagon-making business, setting the stage for Mary Spencer's journey. The story looks at ideas about tradition, what it means to be a woman, and the expectations that get passed down through generations, especially as these weigh on Mary, who was raised by her two unmarried aunts, impacting who she is and what she wants out of life. We learn about the important men in the Spencer family who made the Quinebaug Wagon Works what it is, and then we meet Mary, the last in line, dealing with her family after her father comes back from a difficult time in his life. The beginning chapters mix the past and the now, showing how Mary grows as she thinks about her future and the part she plays in society, all while dealing with her aunts, her dad Josiah, and new friendships around town, creating an interesting story about her search for who she is, her desire to be free, and the problems that come with her family's history.