Sound of Caissons, The

Submitted by Jim Greenwald on January 14, 2013 - 10:44

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Author's Summary

In The Sound of Caissons, Julia Crockett's relentless quest to excel is revealed as the story of five generations of an Army family unfolds through the first three-quarters of 20th century America. At age six Julia imagines growing up to be a general, like Fort Sill's post commander. When she shares this with her beloved grandfather, a retired major, he informs her girls can't be soldiers. Years later, her father forbids her joining the WAAC at the outset of WWII, and she decides the only way to achieve the position and power she desires is to marry an ambitious lieutenant and ride his coattails. But shortly after a hasty marriage to Lt. Robert Wells, she meets Lt. David Morgan, and realizes she's made a dreadful mistake. With a world in turbulence, it's six years before Julia and David are free to marry. Although she loves him deeply, Julia's insatiable yearning for status becomes apparent as she attempts to guide David's career. A man with his own objectives, however, David does not always fall in with her plans. At the same time, Julia continually urges their four children to follow in the footsteps of their military ancestors. Through triumph, tragedy, and infidelity, the Morgan family serves from the U.S. to Tehran, to Berlin, and back again. The children become adults, and the men weather America's conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. Eventually David's patience with Julia's singular determination to see him with stars on his epaulets and their sons as West Point cadets, wears thin. Is the extraordinary love Julia and David share for each other strong enough to survive their conflicting visions? Filled with passion and engaging characters, this thought provoking family saga will keep you turning pages. It is not merely a love story.

MWSA Review

Suzanne Hadfield Semsch’s The Sound of the Caissons is a sweeping work of historical fiction in the vein of a James Michener or Herman Wouk novel. It’s a multigenerational story that blends tragedy and triumph, duty and disappointment.

At the heart of the book is Julia Crockett, a third generation military child. Readers first meet Julia as a 6-year-old in Fort Sill. She’s a Tom Boy more interested in riding horses and playing with toy soldiers than party dresses and tea parties. Julia aspires to a life in the United States Army, but not on the arm of a general. Rather Julia wants to become a general.

As a young girl Julia surrounds herself with posters and pictures of soldiers, plays with toy soldiers and reads military history. But she’s ahead of her time – it’s nearly 50 years before women will serve in the military in the way she envisions. Thus, Julia’s wish gives rise to the tension at the core of this book: “You did what was expected of you, which frequently meant personal sacrifice.”

When World War Two erupts Julia decides to join the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps, WAAC. Her father forbids her from joining. So Julia pursues power and standing through marriage. She pushes and prods her husband and her four children. She lives vicariously through them. Hers is a dream deferred.

The Sound of Caissons takes readers through the Great Depression, World War Two, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Along the way readers not only “live” with the Crockett family, but also with their many acquaintances and friends.

In Julia Semsch creates a character who is deeply human; she is flawed and that makes her real. Julia is abrasive, loving, cold, determined and passionate. Readers watch her develop from Army Brat to military wife and mother.

The book shows the workings of the US Army for the first three-quarters of the 20^th century detailing social customs and traditions of the officer world. Throughout the novel readers see the politics and hierarchy at work on a military base. They learn how this cloistered community works.

Semsch has written nonfiction articles for historical magazines and in The Sound of Caissons she draws upon her own experience as daughter and wife of career Army officers. This gives authenticity to the book.

Reviewed by: Cathryn J. Prince (2013)

Author(s) Mentioned:

Semsch, Suzanne Hadfield

Reviewer:

Prince, Catherine J.

Work Type:

Book Reviews

Tags:

Army