"If you don't become engaged in the issue of the day, you succumb to irrelevancy": Alice Paul, 1920, President of Congressional Union. This quote inspired me to write Becoming Relevant, a novel of historical fiction ambitiously depicting two eras.
It is the story of the De Poitiers family in Yonkers, New York. The principal story begins in 1900, dominated by the two oldest daughters, Eleanor and Aquitainia, who vie for relevance in the struggle for women's right to vote. They subject the de Poitier family endlessly to arguments from both sides of the question, though are later upstaged by their younger sister Uva, who, as a nurse, heads overseas during World War I as the theme turns to the politics of war, the 'Spanish flu' epidemic, and grief.
Father, Jules-Ray, and daughter Eleanor, are medieval scholars. Through discussions and writings, they bring to life the 12th century in England and France, covering Troubadours, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, the 'Albigensian' Crusade, Queen Eleanor's son King John, and Magna Carta. The family tale also involves their dog, Filou, a chronic barker, and live-in cook Rosalie, a chronic punner, who offer the de Poitiers family plenty of trouble and entertainment. Eleanor's obsessions lead her to unexpected revelations and the climax of the story.