The Good Daughters, a novel by Joyce Maynard, is a gripping story of two families, their secrets, and the events that shaped their lives. The novel begins in New Hampshire, 1949.

The story alternates between two daughters of two different families. Ruth is the fifth daughter of Edwin and Connie Plank. Unfortunately, Ruth isn’t really close to her older sisters, has never felt like “one of them.” Although her siblings look like sisters, Ruth is slimmer and grows taller—her father calls her “his beanpole.” She loves trailing after her father on their fifth-generation family farm; is happiest in his company. She loves the animals and the growing of vegetables. Ruth is consumed with art during her childhood, and into adulthood art becomes her vocation.

Dana Dickerson was born at the same hospital, the same day, as Ruth Plank. Connie Plank, Ruth’s mother, calls them birth-sisters and every year, no matter where the Dickersons are living, the two families get together. Mrs. Dickerson clearly is not particularly interested in these reunions, but Mrs. Plank is insistent about their get-togethers. Dana’s parents are the opposite of Ruth’s. Dana’s father is a dreamer, following one scheme after another—creating inventions that never seem to pan out, writing songs that don’t go anywhere. Dana’s mother is an artist, though not recognized for her talent. Home life for the Dickerson family is a succession of rented houses that aren’t really considered “homes.” Dana and Ruth Plank, although “birth sisters” are not necessarily close, but Ruth has always had a crush on Ray, Dana’s older brother. As they mature, Ruth’s attraction to Ray grows. Dana’s dream is to attend college, and begins saving for college when she is fourteen.

Occasionally the Dickersons visit the Plank family farm in the summer when Planks’ vegetable and flower stand is in operation. Dana Dickerson and Ruth’s father talk “farming” endlessly. Dana loves everything about the farm, especially the animals, but also asks details about the propagation of fruits and vegetables.

As the story progresses we follow each family’s progress, or decline, from Ruth and Dana’s viewpoints. Raised in vastly different environments, the one thing they both desire is to succeed in their chosen vocations. Ruth appreciates and excels in art, especially human art form. Dana holds three different jobs in order to graduate from college, and eventually gets a bachelor’s degree in the College of Agriculture.

The story follows these two vastly different women as their lives take surprising turns.

I loved The Good Daughters. The relationship between the two families is fascinating, and as Ruth and Dana grow and become adults their backgrounds profoundly affect their futures in dramatic and surprising ways.