Anita Shreve is a beautiful writer who writes beautifully. All He Ever Wanted is an historical novel set in New Hampshire
in the early part of the twentieth century. The language and phraseology is quaint and delightful. Shreve really pushes the boat out with her magnificent prose and I have no doubt that the author really enjoyed penning this book. Unusually, the story is narrated in the first person by the chief character, Nicholas Van Tassel. A female writer putting words into the mind of a male character isn’t new, but it does provide a refreshing change of point of view.
Van Tassel is a well to do bachelor with a middle position in the department of English in the local university. His fairly ordinary and mundane life is turned upside-down when a spectacular fire in the hotel in which he is dining results in his meeting and of course falling desperately in love with the beautiful Etna Bliss. His love turns out to be a beast of burden and he endures every and any set back which tends to come his way.
The story is narrated in a series of flash backs spanning many years. Van Tassel has plenty of regrets and doubts but seems to never question his initial instinct to pursue and realize his one true love.
Etna Bliss turns out to be more than a handful. Her cold unmoving heart tolerates his presence and though she acknowledges his undying love, she never gives in or reciprocates it. She has plenty of skeletons in her own closet, and her past eventually catches up with her. The secrets that unfold won’t shock the reader but will be unexpected, and by the end of the book, you will feel a certain affinity and pity for Van Tassel.
All He Ever Wanted glows with a warm nostalgic feel. Anita Shreve should explore more of this type of historical story telling. She has a remarkable ability to make the setting and period timeless and focuses the reader’s attention very much on the characters.