A unique way to write about an obsession, unreturned love, and the impact it has on many lives.  The setting is a small town in NH in the 1900's.  This book intrigued me because of many angles.  The physical obsession that  Nicholas Van Tassel has on Etna.  Etna is an intelligent and unique women for her era.  In Nicholas's words the story is written during the course of his train ride to Florida to see his daughter that he hasn't seen in over twenty years.  The story is told exclusively from Nicholas point of view, with the exception of the letters exchanged between Etna and her would be lover, creates gaps in what really happened.  The gaps are ok, it adds to the sense of Nicholas and his obsession.  He even makes up what happens in the gaps at times.  Not a book I thought I would enjoy, but I did!  I love Anita Shreve's writing style.  It allows you to see the multiple dimensions of character (even if the character can be unlikeable at times), the era, and get a feeling for what it might be like, in a way that is part of the excellent storytelling.