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'The Probable Future'    Send a link to a friend

[JULY 30, 2003]  "The Probable Future," Alice Hoffman, Doubleday, 322 pages. Genre: general fiction, fantasy

Review by Bobbi Reddix

The Sparrow family has been one of legend in the small town of Unity, Mass. Every descendant born into this family has been either gifted or cursed. For 13 generations, the offspring have all been female, and each female begins to exhibit a unique ability on her 13th birthday.

Rebecca Sparrow was the firstborn in the Sparrow clan. Her legacy and legend have been passed to her descendants. When she appeared in the town of Unity in the year 1697, the mysterious girl was dirty, confused and speaking a strange language. All that she owned was a bell, a compass and a necklace. Eventually Rebecca was adopted by the local washerwoman. Her unique ability to not feel pain emerged on her 13th birthday. When the local townspeople found this out, she subsequently was tried as a witch and drowned.

This story brings into focus the lives of three of Rebecca's descendants. Elinor, the family matriarch, has the ability to discern when someone is lying. Jenny, her daughter, is able to see the dreams of others. The story begins on the eve of the 13th birthday of Stella, the 13th generation of the Sparrow clan.

 

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Book CoverJenny and her mother have been estranged for a number of years. Jenny left the Sparrow home and eloped with her now ex-husband, Will Avery, to live in Boston. She has told her daughter little of her heritage and nothing about the family's abilities.

While on an outing with her father, Stella's gift manifests itself, and she learns that she has the ability to see how and when people will die. Stella foresees the death of a young woman in a restaurant and pleads with her father to do something about it. He humors his daughter and eventually relays the information to the police. When the murder actually occurs, he finds himself the accused.

This leads to a series of incidents that eventually bring Jenny and Stella back to their historic home, full of treasures and talismans, where Stella learns of her ancestry and her heritage and Jenny learns of reconciliation and love.

Alice Hoffman is the author of 15 acclaimed novels, including "Practical Magic," "Here on Earth," "The River King" and "Blue Diary." She has also written five books for children. She lives with her family near Boston.

[Bobbi Reddix, Lincoln Public Library District]

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