Sparrow Beach is a work of literary fiction penned by author Shelby Raebeck, and is set in the developing metropolis of the East End of Long Island. The central character is everyman Michael Dorian, a flawed but hardworking stoic of Long Island whose building business is being swamped by the Manhattan developers invading his home space. Though there are still chances for him to make it, challenges in his personal life will also play their role in whether he succeeds or fails. His daughter Tommy struggles with anxiety issues following the failure of her parents’ marriage, and there’s a dark shadow hanging over the ominous new landscape that awaits Michael, Tommy and the people around them.

Suitably dark and accurate to the struggle of modernity and progress, this interesting work of fiction presents real people in their real-life troubles without ever over-sensationalizing and over-dramatizing the affair. The locales of Long Island seemed to become characters in the story themselves as the tale unfolded, especially in the way they are altered by development and their beauty overshadowed by the sense of opportunity and progress which they represent. Michael and Tommy too are viewed this way, with author Shelby Raebeck creating a highly intelligent metaphor for the progression of society. This is encapsulated by Michael and the people who surround him as he struggles to find a new place in a new world. Overall, Sparrow Beach is a superbly written piece of literature which takes life at face value and has much to say in return.

Sparrow Beach by Shelby Raebeck is a compelling novel that explores how a cast of sophisticated characters deals with the rapid changes occurring in Long Island’s East End. The protagonist is Michael Dorian, a local builder whose profession is threatened by developers from Manhattan, who seem to have more than just skills in the building industry. What does he need to do to survive the brutal competition?

Michael is a well-imagined character, a man who is genuinely flawed and, having had a failed marriage, he has a teenage daughter suffering from anxiety. I love characters that are strong and Shelby Raebeck infuses life into the characters by exploring personal issues, family backgrounds, and how the characters relate to other people and their environment. This is a gripping novel whose central conflict revolves around the theme of change and the pain people endure when circumstances force them to adapt and to be creative. Told in a clear and absorbing voice, Sparrow Beach is suspenseful and has the potential to enthrall fans of literary fiction.

The wonderful setting is enriched by the author's ability to infuse the plot with social and cultural commentaries, allowing readers to feel the soul, not only of the characters but also of where the narrative takes place. This novel is intelligently plotted and written to reflect one of the challenges that people face every day, the challenge of facing powerful competition. Do we accept change when it is inevitable or resist it? This book has surprising answers that reflect the human spirit.