The Hidden Light of Northern Fires

Wang’s uneven first novel chronicles how the Civil War affects the members and acquaintances of the prominent Willis family in Town Line, a small farming community near Buffalo, N.Y., and the only secessionist town north of the Mason-Dixon line. After barely escaping a confrontation with bounty hunters, fugitive slave Joe Bell is hidden by Mary Willis, the progressive daughter of influential Town Line founder Nathan. Joe fled the Virginia plantation where he was enslaved after a run-in with Yates Bell, the resentful son of the plantation owner, who vows to see Joe dead. Joe worries about his sister, Alaura, whom he had to leave behind. Meanwhile, Yates has a foil in Mary’s brother, Leander, who spends much of the book wondering why he’s never good enough for his dad while squandering cash and avoiding his responsibilities. He gives up Joe and gets their father shot in a skirmish, causing a rift between himself and Mary, who manages to prevent Joe from being re-enslaved. As the war goes on, the story focuses on two searches: Joe attempts to locate Alaura while Leander tries to find him. Wang’s characters are either mustache-twirling bad guys or so good they practically glow with righteousness; a bit of nuance would have been welcome. The book’s ending also rings untrue, with the seemingly fierce heroine paired off into a happily-ever-after that comes out of nowhere. (Aug.)