HERE ON EARTH by Alice Hoffman

Finished Mo 1/11/16....David Bowie died last night
I bought this paperback at west branch on Sa 2/7/04 for fifty cents and never read it.

One of Oprah's selections and I think that the contemporary book club has selected one of Alice Hoffman's books.

The novel is supposed to be a kind of homage to WUTHERING HEIGHTS, but I'm not that familiar with this classic. Hollis as Heathcliff??

March and Gwen return to March's hometown for the burial of Judith Dale. She basically raised Gwen and is a pillar of the community.
Judith had a long affair with Bill Justice who was March's father's law partner.  Also, the father of March's best friend, Suzie.
Hank is Alan's son and he is kind of adopted by Hollis. He treats Hank badly. Just the basics and no frills even though Hollis is a wealthy man.  

I loved the book. Sexual obsession at its' worst.
March loved Hollis since his father rescued him from the street when the boy was only thirteen and she was ten.
Alan was March's older brother and later became a drunk. He hated Hollis because he felt that his father favored Hollis. In his mind, Hollis took his place in his father's heart. Alan and his friends are brutally violent to Hollis. He never cracks and ultimately Alan is defeated. Alan is referred to as 'The Coward'.

When March's father dies, Alan takes the reigns, and charges Hollis for everything. Although plunged into debt, Hollis pays back every penny and ends up buying most of the town. He becomes the biggest player in the area, although he never gains the respect of the community. Everyone dislikes him (but not to his face), but many of the women will have sex with him because he is handsome.

Gwen is March's daughter by Richard. Although March loves Richard, they both understand that March truly loves Hollis and has since she was a child. Gwen moves to Massachusetts with her mother and matures. She becomes the mother and her mother acts the teenager.
Gwen falls in love with Hollis's old race horse, Tarot. Caring for something, even a horse, makes her a better person.
Hollis makes money by killing race horses. This is partly how he made is fortune. Horse People call him 'Mr. Death'.

I think that the title implies that 'here on earth, things can get very complicated'. Also an examination of the complications of Fate. Do you get what you deserve or can extraneous accidents intrude on destiny.

I loved the book and will definitely read more by Alice Hoffman. I'll try to get the contemporary book club to read another one.