The Echo of Old Books: A Novel

“Two parents gone in the space of a month, and both had chosen to leave her. Surely the fault lay with her. Something she’d done or not done, some awful, unforgivable flaw. Like a disfiguring birthmark or faulty gene, the question had become a permanent part of her. Like the scar on her palm.”

Ashlyn sees the deaths of her parents as a comment on her own worth, as she perceives them each having chosen to leave her. This leaves her wary of trusting and opening herself up to love and intimacy, an attitude reinforced by her marriage to Daniel. Ashlyn makes a reference to the scar on her palm here, and she later tells Ethan how she acquired it. At this point in the story, Ashlyn sees it as something ugly and traumatic that she cannot resolve or erase. The symbolism of the scar changes over the course of the book.

“There was a connection she couldn’t quite identify, something prickly and familiar lurking beneath all the bitterness and betrayal—a sense of things left unfinished. It was how her own life felt, as if she’d been placed in a state of suspension, waiting, breath held, for some unseen shoe to drop.”

Ashlyn is initially drawn to Hemi’s and Belle’s books because of the feelings she reads from their vibrations; however, she remains hooked onto their story and is motivated to resolve their mystery because she resonates with parts of it. Although in different circumstances, Ashlyn and Belle have experienced similar tragedies and both live with a lack of closure for years. Together, these characters speak to the theme of Heartbreak, Tragedy, and Starting Afresh.

“Who do you think caused the damn crash to begin with? Now they’re trying to bankrupt us with somebody else’s war. They will, too, if we don’t cut them off at the knees. Them and the communists with their Union thugs. They’ve already got Roosevelt’s stones in a jar.”

Hemi has a conversation with Belle’s fiancé, Teddy, at a dinner party, and the latter spouts dangerous, antisemitic rhetoric. This kind of attitude was not uncommon in the United States during World War II, before Pearl Harbor (See: Background). Belle’s family moves around in social circles that espouse such ideas. This historical context is important, and Davis weaves these details into the plot in significant ways: Hemi’s arrival in the United States, his initial desire to get close to Belle, and the eventual scandal about Martin and Helene that destroys Belle’s trust in Hemi are all closely tied to historical events taking place at the time.

“Malleable, my father once called Cee-Cee. Because she understood things like loyalty and duty. It was the day he informed me that I was to marry Teddy. When I said I wasn’t interested in marriage, he explained with strained patience that sometimes we must do what’s required for the greater good.”

Belle reflects on her sister Cee-Cee’s life, and how she doesn’t want to go down the same path. Belle and Cee-Cee are extremely different; while Belle is a romantic, like their mother, and wants to carve out her own path, Cee-Cee is more concerned with family duty and appearances, like their father. These differences are a function of temperament, but also the characters’ respective relationships with their parents—Belle was close to her mother, and so Cee-Cee tries to gain their father’s approval instead, by blindly obeying him.

“How she would thumb through the album of old photos she kept hidden under her mattress, the stories she would tell, stories meant only for us. And I remember how she was punished for all of it when my father found out—and how it eventually broke her.”

Belle remembers a photo album Helene kept hidden; Helene shared it with Belle secretly and was eventually punished for it. Although Belle doesn’t know it yet, the album contains pictures of Helene’s French Jewish family. Helene shared stories with Belle and even some Hebrew prayers, which angered Martin, who had strong antisemitic views. This is part of the reason Martin finds a way to send Helene away—besides viewing her mental health condition as a weakness, he looks to erase any trace of his Jewish wife’s existence and culture.

“[W]hen one grows up with the kinds of privileges you have, it’s easy to forget that not everyone had such a cushy childhood. It doesn’t make you a brat—necessarily—but it does mean you’re less likely to understand how the real world works. Money has a way of sparing the haves the kinds of trials the have-nots grapple with on a daily basis. There’s nothing you can’t buy or arrange. Nothing out of reach.”

Hemi and Belle discuss their childhoods, and Hemi points out the privileges Belle grew up with, which she is not always aware of. Hemi and Belle come from different worlds, which influence their different outlooks on life and contribute to some of the gaps in communication between them. They are not able to completely understand or trust each other’s actions or motivations, and Hemi in particular doubts Belle’s commitment to him, as he views her as someone unused to compromise or sacrifice because of her upbringing. This also underlines the theme of Two Sides of the Story.

“My parents were my family. That’s pretty much where it ends. […] The family thing just isn’t something the Mannings and Hillards do. At least not like other families. We don’t get all warm and fuzzy at the holidays or blow out candles and open presents.”

Ethan tells Ashlyn about how his definition of family extends only to his parents, especially because his extended family—the Mannings and the Hillards—are not particularly warm people. Over the course of the book, however, Ethan reconnects with other members of his family: Marian, Zachary, and Ilese. His journey speaks to the theme of The Power of Found Family, and by the end of the book, he experiences what he claims his family never does: celebrate a holiday together and open presents.

“She rolled up her sleeves and took on the social issues of the day. […] Had quite a lot to say about the Nazis too. […] The ones she claimed lived right here in the US of A. […] She had a knack for finding dirt on the big boys. Bribery. Corruption. Cronyism. If she got a whiff of something rotten, she dug it up, and then she printed it. Took down more than one bigwig in her day, and by any means necessary.”

Ruth, the librarian, helps discover Goldie’s identity for Ashlyn and tells her what she learns. The description of Geraldine Spencer fits with Goldie’s actions, as she brings Hemi over to write a story on Martin. She wants to expose Martin’s pro-Nazi associations, illegal business dealings, and general thuggery, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this, including dredging up Helene’s illness and unfortunate death. This eventually turns off Hemi from writing the article.

“Your silence threatens to undo me, and for a moment, I consider taking it all back and telling you the real truth—that it was true once but isn’t anymore. That the story I’m working on has taken a turn I never saw coming, one I wish I didn’t have to pursue.”

Hemi confesses to Belle that he orchestrated their first meeting and their relationship in order to obtain information on Martin for his article. At this point, Hemi has developed true feelings for Belle and is extremely conflicted about their relationship and his work: He feels duty-bound to expose Martin and his illegal and dangerous dealings, but he also loves and wants to protect Belle. In addition to this, he feels uncomfortable with Goldie’s expectations for the article. Hemi’s feelings here point to his integrity and sense of justice.

“We’re pieces on a chessboard, you and I. Nothing more. He’ll move us wherever and however he likes, and he won’t stop until he has all the pieces. […] You should also know that on occasion, a few pieces have gone missing. Troublesome pieces that didn’t matter much to anyone. Don’t ever think he won’t do it to you.”

When Belle tries to protest her engagement to Teddy, Cee-Cee asserts that they are both nothing more than pawns used to further their father’s ambition. Cee-Cee’s understanding of this and her willingness to cooperate with Martin show her pragmatic nature—it is safer and easier for her to do what Martin wants, rather than rebel or strike out on her own. Her warning that “troublesome pieces” go missing refers to Helene; Cee-Cee knows about Martin’s motivation behind and involvement with Helene’s commitment to the asylum.

“I’m saying I’ve made a mistake, Hemi. We’re just too far apart. How we grew up, the things that matter to us, our sense of right and wrong, apparently. And running away won’t change that. I should never have let you into my life.”

After Belle finds out about Hemi’s article, despite the fact that he claims it is all true and that he wasn’t going to publish it after all, her trust in him is broken. In a fit of anger, she claims it was a mistake for them to ever be together, as they are too different. Although she changes her mind later, it is this assertion that leads Hemi to easily believe the contents of the note that reach him and leave town without contacting Belle.

“She couldn’t get past the echoes she’d picked up the first time she touched the books, the eerily similar fusion of bitterness and grief. People lied. Echoes didn’t. Belle and Hemi both genuinely believed themselves to be the wronged party, which seemed to suggest that there was more to the story than they currently knew. Perhaps more than they’d ever know.”

Although Ethan has an opinion on who he believes is the wronged party between Hemi and Belle, Ashlyn feels differently. She sees that there are Two Sides of the Story, especially because Hemi and Belle seem equally convinced of the other’s wrongdoing. This points to Ashlyn’s perceptiveness; her ability to read the feelings off of old books has developed her sense of empathy.

“I see her needing to deny it, to dismiss it as impossible, and I almost feel sorry for her. The idea that her hero, the father she’s worshipped and always striven to please, could be capable of something so horrifyingly cold-blooded has shaken her to her core.”

Belle confronts Cee-Cee about Martin’s involvement with Helene’s death. When she reveals all she has learned, however, Cee-Cee appears horrified that Martin would have knowingly abetted Helene’s suicide. Cee-Cee has molded her worldview to Martin’s to justify his actions, especially in the name of family duty. However, despite knowing more about Martin’s business than Belle’s, she still reveres their father; her hero worship has left her blind to his cruelty and criminal behavior.

“She and I weren’t close the way you two were. You were always her favorite, and I suppose I was jealous. Then she got sick and there was just Father. I was so desperate for his approval. I said and did whatever he wanted me to, but I hurt you in the process.”

While Belle is writing her letters, Cee-Cee comes in and explains her behavior in an apparent attempt to apologize and make up. Although Belle eventually learns this was a ruse for Cee-Cee to see what Belle was writing, Cee-Cee’s confession here still has a hint of truth: She was indeed jealous of Belle’s closeness to their mother, especially because Cee-Cee was the favorite. Cee-Cee’s blind obedience to Martin is a way for her to win at least one parent’s approval, even if her actions hurt Belle in the process.

“But trust was a dangerous thing. So was love. And that was where this was headed if she didn’t put the brakes on. Was she willing to take that kind of leap again? To give someone the power to shatter the small but careful life she’d managed to rebuild for herself?”

As things progress between Ethan and Ashlyn, she finds herself holding back for worry that she will be hurt again. Ashlyn’s wariness about trust and love come from the heartbreaking experiences she had with her parents and Daniel; she doesn’t believe herself worthy of love. The reason she is eventually able to open herself up again is because the opportunity presents itself through books, which have always been her safe space: She and Ethan grow closer through the process of unravelling the mystery of Hemi and Belle’s love story.

“You said something once that I never forgot. You said people like me never accomplish anything meaningful because we don’t have to. All anyone expects from us is that we dress well and throw a good party. It stung at the time, because I knew you were only half teasing. Well, I have done something meaningful. Not because I had to but because I chose to.”

In the epilogue of Forever, and Other Lies, Belle asserts how she went on to do something meaningful with her life through her work with war orphans, despite Hemi’s views on people like her. Hemi’s opinion on women who hail from a privileged background and what they choose to do with their lives underlines the theme of Two Sides of the Story: Coming from the background he has, Hemi is slightly resentful of the choices that money affords such women, including Belle. Belle’s choice, which contradicts Hemi’s opinion, is a testament to the strength and depth of character she possesses. Unlike her sister, Belle is not just a romantic, but someone who wants to break out of the classist and elitist lifestyle and expectations her family pursues.

“‘An alias?’ ‘Steven Schwab,’ Marian said flatly. ‘Another convenient invention.’ Ashlyn glanced at Ethan, wondering if he was connecting the dots too. Marian believed Schwab was an alias…Marian didn’t know Steven Schwab…Hemi wasn’t Steven Schwab.”

When Ashlyn and Ethan finally meet Marian, they learn not only Hemi’s true identity, but also that Marian has always believed Steven Schwab to be Hemi’s alias. This misperception has contributed to Marian’s refusal to contact Hugh all these years and tell him about Zachary. Despite asserting differently in his book, Marian still believes Hugh was responsible for the article published about her father; she does not trust him. Her mistrust, in turn, is later mirrored by Hugh’s, when—despite her assertions—he does not believe that someone switched her note to him.

“The papers made it sound like I saved them, but the truth is they saved me. I was so lost after the business with Hemi. Johanna and the children gave me something to care about, something to focus on besides my woes and the war.”

Marian asserts that her children saved her by giving her a sense of purpose at a dark time in her life. She was able to claim Zachary and Ilese as hers because of Johanna, a friend who became closer to her than family. Ashlyn, similarly, finds her life’s purpose—the bookstore—through people who become closer to her than family. Both women’s experiences mirror each other, and Marian and Ashlyn equally experience The Power of Found Family.

“Marian had mentioned several times that Hemi had been a repeated point of contention between them, that he kept pushing him at her. What she hadn’t said was why.”

After meeting Marian, Ashlyn is convinced there is more to the story between her and Hemi than Marian is letting on. She divines this through the fact that there were repeated arguments between Dickey and Marian about Hemi, and Marian’s apparent defensiveness toward some of the questions Ashlyn and Ethan asked her. Once again, Ashlyn’s spot-on instinct showcases her perceptiveness and ability to read people as well as she does books.

“‘Forgiveness,’ Marian repeated, not quite meeting her eyes. ‘Such an easy word to say but harder to achieve. Forgiving would mean I’d be left with only the memories, stripped of the blame and anger, as you say, and I don’t believe I could bear them that way.’”

To Ashlyn’s encouragement that Marian choose forgiveness, the older woman explains why this is difficult for her. Marian’s reluctance stems from two things: Firstly, as she explains to Ashlyn, she would not be able to bear the heartbreak of her relationship with Hemi if she didn’t remain angry with him. Secondly, she has things that she feels guilty of herself, as indicated by her refusal to meet Ashlyn’s eyes. Marian has knowingly and willingly kept Zachary from Hemi. If she forgives Hemi, she will be forced to tell him the truth, as she will have no reason to hide Zachary from him anymore.

“It strikes me suddenly that Corinne’s withholding of our mother’s things hasn’t been about a grudge against me but about something else entirely, something she refused to admit, even to herself. ‘You wanted them,’ I say softly, understanding at last. ‘You wanted them for yourself. Because they were hers.’”

Corinne (Cee-Cee) gives Marian Helene’s things, which she had hidden away for years, and Marian finally realizes that, despite her assertions otherwise, Corinne did love Helene and sought to preserve a part of their mother for herself. Corinne’s confessions and revelations come practically on her death bed, as she is dying of a brain tumor when Marian and Hugh confront her. Their timing and manner suggest that she has been feeling some guilt and regret over the way she treated her sister, although she never admits this. She does admit, however, that she resented Marian for her closeness with Helene and finally gives her Helene’s things. In return, Marian is able to partially forgive her sister and leaves behind Helene’s hairbrush for Corinne.

“[W]e forgive, Hemi. We stop all the blaming and who hurt who first. It won’t change what we’ve lost. Nothing can change that. But it might pave the way for some kind of closure. For both of us finally being able to let it go.”

Marian urges Hemi to choose forgiveness so they can stop blaming each other and let go of the past. Her interactions with Ashlyn and the confrontation with her sister have both shown Marian the power of forgiveness to lighten one’s heart. Furthermore, she realizes that she is still deeply in love with Hemi, and even if they are unable to build a future together, she would like some closure so she, too, can move on.

“She thought of the books, now shelved side by side in Marian’s office, and recalled the last time she’d run her hands over them. […] They had changed their echoes. That moment had been a kind of revelation for her, a reminder that the echoes a person leaves behind are the by-products of the choices she makes—and perhaps, more critically, that changing those echoes is always possible.”

Ashlyn reflects on how Hemi’s and Belle’s books have changed their echoes, which leads to a revelation on choice and change. Ashlyn’s epiphany speaks to the theme of Heartbreak, Tragedy, and Starting Afresh. Her own story, alongside Belle and Hemi’s, is a testament to this theme, as she finds a way to start anew after her painful past experiences.