Judith A. Perkins’ novel The Emancipation of William Jones, Jr. is the story, set at the turn of the 20th century, of a young boy with a tough start in life and the efforts of others to help him overcome it.

Six-year-old William is living in Lewiston, Idaho, with his mother, Anna, 24. Anna, was widowed while pregnant when her husband, the boy’s father, died in a ship sinking. She’s a cold, uncaring mother who hadn’t wanted children. One day, she takes William to visit her family in Washington, then, with no word to anyone, leaves William behind with his grandparents, Marie and George. While the older couple love their grandchild, raising him proves to be more work than they can manage.

Soon, their other daughter and her husband take William into their home and, surrounded by grandparents, aunts and uncles and family friends, William begins to know love. But when Anna learns of William’s new life, she seeks to force him to return home to her.

This is an involved story with numerous characters living life in an earlier era. The events of the time, such as the introduction of cars, contribute to a colorful setting, as do the signature characters of the time, including the local town doctor, the kindly schoolteacher and the friendly Palouse and Nez Perce Indians who trade goods with the townspeople.

However, the story has so many characters that it can be hard to track, and the recounting of ordinary, day-to-day events makes for a plodding read. The narrative feels stilted at times, particularly with its wooden dialogue and unnecessary description in attribution. For example, on the opening page, Anna hasn’t simply “said” something but “ordered,” “commanded,” and “growled.” The author fails to trust that her dialogue will convey these attitudes on its own.

Such issues negatively impact the read, which would be greatly improved with careful revision.

Also available as an ebook.