A Can of Peas by Traci DePree

How do newly weds learn to support each others' dreams, find a shared sense of place, and learn toward common goals? After his grandfather dies, Peter and Mae Morgan decide to change their life by managing the family farm near the tiny Lake Emily, Minnesota. How hard can it be to milk a heard of cows or to raise hay, corn, peas (yes, peas!), and chickens? Peter and Mae initially think it'll be a quiet, simple existence after living in the city, but the stress of long hours in the field, the rigors of the milking parlor, and their inability to control weather or milk prices -- it all taxes their young optimism and their relationship. DePree alternates the storyline with early vignettes of characters, giving the reader a sense of history, helping make sense of characters' actions and providing a thread of hope that things just might turn out.

Having lived in a rural community like Lake Emily, MN, the characters and story ring true: the isolation, the dependence on nature and market prices, the peaceful countryside, the bountiful (or meager) harvest, and especially the relationships -- the community that arises to provide hope and unquestioned support during both celebrations and heartaches.

This book came to me via Paperback Swap...but I cannot remember why I placed this on my wish list. DePree is known for editing and writing Christian novels, and I'm not known for being a lover of Christian fiction. But although this book does incorporate a strong strand of Christian message throughout, Can of Peas is a well-crafted storyline and contains powerful characters...and it all works well together. I started reading and had trouble putting the book down when it was time to turn out the light. I found the ending particularly compelling -- life is a full circle of joy and heartache.