Searching for Eternity

Musser's competent writing marks her latest lengthy foray into inspirational fiction. The novel spans four decades of the life of Emile de Bonnery, a French-born boy who, at age 13, unexpectedly must leave the only home he's ever known for Atlanta in the 1960s. Torn between his belief that his father has abandoned him and his mother for another woman and the idea that his father is a spy, Emile's anger and grief hinder his transition into American life. Then, he meets the odd and strangely attractive Eternity Jones (hence the word play on the title) and is plunged into issues of poverty, racism, alcoholism, faith and abuse. Musser is an excellent writer, but some of the plot developments seem contrived, as when Emile's grandmother pays for a room for an African-American neighbor of Eternity's to celebrate the hotel's desegregation or invites Eternity's family to her home for Thanksgiving dinner. The second half of the too-long novel loses steam. Historical and cultural details enrich the text but the excessive newspaper clippings feel like padding. Although the happily-ever-after ending forgoes any loose ends, Musser keeps the reader guessing about Emile's father until the final pages. Fans of The Swan House should enjoy this.