The Cottage Industry: A Journey Through Post-War America

A Glimpse into the Story

David Enders, a pilot for the French Army during the Great War, returns to Connecticut after wandering through post-war France. He carries with him a condition similar to what many shell-shocked men experienced in the trenches. Back home, he faces a difficult father and a sister who is locked in a mysterious post-influenza coma. The country is still grappling with wartime paranoia and civil liberty restrictions.

Enders finds work building houses in Old Lyme, a summertime town filled with bootleggers, rum runners, flappers, clammers, crooked deputies, and the famous Old Lyme Art Colony. The impressionist painters there are determined to keep their bucolic landscapes free from cookie-cutter cottages. Amidst this chaos, Enders falls in love with one of those artists. However, surrounded by suffocating customs, illiberal laws, and petty criminals, they are desperate for an escape.

The Author's Background

Edward McSweegan is a talented writer based in Rhode Island. His portfolio includes numerous non-fiction articles and book reviews. He even penned a monthly newspaper column on infectious diseases for six years. His short stories have appeared in prestigious publications such as Science, Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, and Writer’s Digest: The Year’s Best Writing.

In 2023, he published his debut novel, Shadow of the Moon, through Wild Rose Press. Following that, he released a second historical novel, The Fever Hut, with Fireship Press in 2024. His third novel, The Cottage Industry, came out through Wild Rose Press in June 2024.

Editorial Review

David Enders served his country during World War I and returned home to a nation in turmoil. The country is deep in the aftermath of the war and grappling with the controversy of Prohibition. Enders takes a job with a real estate company that controls access to the beaches in the area. The Cottage Industry highlights the privatization of New England's beaches, particularly in Connecticut—a topic often overlooked in historical fiction. This lesser-known history is fascinating and adds depth to the narrative.

Enders' experiences reveal themes of Prohibition, racism, and postwar dysphoria, making The Cottage Industry a must-read.

“Sitting on the right side of the carriage again, he watched a sea of yellow cattails wave by the open window. He caught the odor of low-tide mud as the train slowed to pass the shack-like Connecticut River station. Then the train was on the iron-and-stone drawbridge. In the distance, he saw the two lighthouses marking the narrow entrance to the river. The train pulled through Old Lyme, though most of the town’s buildings were hidden on the other side of wide salt marshes and lumpy fields of rock and grass. There were few trees. Windmills turned slowly in the morning air as they pumped fresh water to houses and inns.”

The characters truly shine in The Cottage Industry. David Enders, in particular, is a character full of depth and emotion. His wartime experiences and postwar struggles are articulated in a way that allows readers to empathize with him. His logical nature is an endearing quality that many readers will appreciate.

“The Palmer raids scooped up every radical with an accent, and the Emergency Quota Act is keeping everyone else out of the country. No summer homes for anyone but us genuine red-blooded Americans. Land of the free, home of the restricted.”

The historical elements in this novel are vibrant and well-researched. The author’s dedication to historical accuracy is evident, and it is a rarity in historical fiction to find a full bibliography at the back of the book. This attention to detail and ability to weave lesser-known history into a captivating story is one of the gems of this book. Readers who love historical fiction will highly appreciate this aspect.

“This must be what that constable was claiming to keep an eye on. Kiddie horse rides, day laborers, and tarot card fortune-telling. Can’t imagine this is a source of much crime when we’ve already got speakeasy booze and gambling.”

Edward McSweegan possesses a unique talent for crafting stories that are rich in emotion and vibrancy. His writing provides depth and creates a beautiful literary experience that readers will cherish. The vivid details and descriptions allow readers to visualize the scenes, events, and characters being portrayed. This attention to detail makes The Cottage Industry a joy to read, especially for those who appreciate excellent writing.

“Enders complimented Mrs. Bates on her art de la table. He kept to his hard-won French dining etiquette as he worked his way through roast beef, roasted potatoes, a light gravy, and, surprisingly, fresh tomato slices drizzled with olive oil and dusted with freshly ground pepper. He sipped his wine, stole glances at Karen sitting—out of reach—across from him, and fielded her parents’ questions about him, his work, and the war.”

Length and Accessibility

At almost five hundred pages, The Cottage Industry is lengthy and filled with deeply detailed writing. Some readers may find this daunting, making it less ideal for newcomers to the historical fiction genre. However, those who are well-versed in historical fiction will appreciate this fresh perspective on a history that is rarely explored in fictional works. Literary fiction enthusiasts will find joy in the writing style of The Cottage Industry.

“Fortunately for me, that drifting state didn’t last too long. The Allies had entered western Germany in December, and the French reclaimed the Alsace-Lorraine region, which had been held by the Germans since the 1870s. A formal occupation of the Rhineland was being worked on in Paris. The French Army already had moved Troupes colonials—West African troops—into the Rhineland. It was a lot of territory to hold and, in the case of Alsace-Lorraine, rebuild. The best way to police the region was by air. So the Armée de l’Air started sending planes and pilots north to fly regular reconnaissance missions. They packed me off to a nearby American base to train on the Curtiss JN-4. Like the plane resting in the sand right there.”

Conclusion

Excellent writing and a unique look into history, combined with an engaging story, earn The Cottage Industry a solid four out of five stars. While the length may deter some readers, the literary value and vibrant writing make it well worth the effort for those willing to commit to reading this captivating novel by Ed McSweegan.

“The Cottage Industry” by Ed McSweegan receives 4 stars from The Historical Fiction Company.

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