One Summer in Savannah: A Novel

Jacob Wyler, the identical twin brother of Sara’s rapist, Daniel, works to start his boat to get to the island cabin he’s rehabilitating on his own. He inherited the island after his father, Tom, died by suicide following Daniel’s crime. Jacob is an extremely intelligent astrophysicist who has returned home to Savannah to repair his relationship with his mother and brother. He eventually gets the boat started and drives to the island after a chat with his friend Locke about life on the islands off the coast of Savannah. His mother, Birdie, pays him a surprise visit to talk to him about Daniel. Jacob resists, and when Birdie’s accusation that Daniel being in prison is Jacob’s fault doesn’t work, she tells him that Daniel is dying of cancer.

When Sara and Alana arrive at the hospital, Sylvia tells Sara that Hosea has been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, not a heart attack. Sara is both furious and terrified when she learns that her father likely has only a few months to live. Sylvia tells her about all the work that Hosea has done renovating his bookstore with limited help—a couple of part-time employees and a friend, Jacob. She talks to her father, who speaks to her in his own language—quoted poetry. She begs him to explain why he didn’t tell her earlier using just his own words, but he continues speaking in poems. Sara brings in Alana and processes her hurt and worry as she watches her daughter and father together.

Jacob visits Daniel at the prison. Daniel has dedicated himself to Christianity while in prison and spearheads projects to help inmates further their education and gardening projects to benefit the environment. Jacob knows that Daniel’s efforts are all attempts at redemption, but Jacob regards them as futile attempts—his rape of Sara is always going to overshadow any positive accomplishments. Jacob is struck by Daniel’s pallor and low weight and can see the effect of the cancer. They talk about Daniel’s life in the prison and whether Daniel regrets what he did—whether he’s willing to admit that he did, in fact, rape Sara. Jacob struggles with the possibility of forgiving his brother. They share memories of the past until Jacob leaves, saying that he’ll come back soon.

Sara and Alana unpack and settle into Hosea’s house, Sara’s childhood home. Sara dwells on her sadness and the loss that is looming as she watches her father and daughter bond and get to know one another better. While Hosea recites C. S. Lewis’s “Jabberwocky” to Alana, Sara goes to the store to pick up ingredients for a family tradition: pizza night. While at the store, she runs into a friend from high school. After they exchange pleasantries, the woman hurls a veiled accusation that Sara lied about being raped. Sara stands her ground and pushes back at the accusation, but she is left feeling that the rape will be the only defining factor for her in Savannah.

When she gets home, she sits with Sylvia, who suggests that Alana join the educational summer camp that Sylvia runs to make friends and get comfortable in Savannah. Sara is noncommittal, worried again that the Wylers will discover Alana’s identity. Sara confronts Sylvia about keeping Hosea’s condition a secret, and Sylvia apologizes. Sara finds it easy to forgive when Sylvia demonstrates sympathy and comfort. They argue, however, about whether Sara will stay in Savannah or hurry back to Maine. Sylvia tries to convince Sara that Savannah is safe—the Wylers’ power and influence has waned over time, and no one really talks about Daniel or Birdie anymore. Sylvia also confronts Sara about Alana’s well-being, especially socially, and argues that Sara cannot hide her away forever.

Jacob goes to the doctor and has tests done to make sure that he can donate his bone marrow to Daniel. He thinks of Naomi, his sister, remembering the day she died in a car accident after being hit by a drunk driver and the grief and shock that followed. After the doctor, he goes to the science center that he remembers visiting as a child. He thinks of the visitation he had from Naomi in Alaska that drove him back to Savannah. He walked with her in the snow and told her about everything that had happened to their family in the wake of her death. She pointed south and only said one word: “Sarah.”

In the science center, Alana is visiting Sylvia’s summer camp. She approaches Jacob as he looks at the mathematics exhibit and explains that the exhibit is wrong. Jacob is struck by how much she looks and even behaves like Naomi. He begins to explain that it’s correct, but she shows him her notebook where she’s written the correct equation; her intelligence surprises him. She tells him that her watch broke, so he gives her his watch and asks to fix hers. They exchange names and watches, and she rejoins the children at the camp. He watches her in dismay, questions flooding his mind.