‘Maine Characters: A Novel’: A Light, Sweet Sisterly Drama

Two half-sisters deal with their father’s death, a contentious lake house, and their newfound relationship.

"Maine Characters: A Novel" by Hannah Orenstein brings two sisters to a house on a lake in Maine. Dutton Publishing

Two half-sisters cross paths at their late father’s getaway property in rural Maine. Vivian had no idea that Lucy even existed, and Lucy had no idea their father was dead. Circumstances force them to stay the summer at the house, and their hidden secrets are about to overtake their lives. What could go wrong?

The answer turns out to be plenty. And most of the problems focus on the fate of the beautiful lake house at the center of Hannah Orenstein’s “Maine Characters.”