Adrienne Toner: A Novel

"Adrienne Toner: A Novel" by Anne Douglas Sedgwick is a story set in the early 20th century about an American girl named Adrienne Toner, whose arrival at Coldbrooks shakes up the lives of the residents, including Roger Oldmeadow and Barney Chadwick. The novel explores the differences between people, the power of charm, and the tangled web of relationships, all played out against a society experiencing big changes. Roger, a friend of Barney, is drawn to Coldbrooks by Barney who wants Roger to meet the special American girl Adrienne, who the reader finds out has intriguing abilities such as bringing people together and possibly even healing with her presence. We also see how Adrienne’s presence stirs up emotions and rivalries, especially when Nancy Averil, who likes Barney, feels threatened by her. The early parts of the novel shows us Adrienne's mysterious allure and gives us clues about what she might mean for the Chadwick family and the larger social circle, as people have different opinions about this new and possibly life-changing influence.