The Awakening of Helena Richie

"The Awakening of Helena Richie" by Margaret Wade Campbell Deland is a story set in the early 1900s about a widow, Helena Richie, trying to find her place in Old Chester. The story seems to be about how people deal with being alone, what society expects from them, and the challenges of being a parent; it hints at a path toward connection with a boy named David who needs a home. The story starts with Dr. Lavendar and a boy named Goliath, visiting people in town and thinking about life. When they discuss David needing someone to care for him, they start thinking about Mrs. Richie and her sad past. As the story goes on, Helena feels the pain of her own past losses and thinks about taking David in. The book suggests that the story will focus on how people heal emotionally, the pressures of living in a small town, and finding yourself when life changes, as the plot evolves.