Configurations

An epic saga of upheaval, morality, and survival in a fictitious 1930s south-central Illinois community, Configurations is the story of the Macklin family's struggle to save their century-old, heavily mortgaged family farm. Each of the six family members deals with personal problems while living through the financial crisis of the Great Depression and emerging from a pioneer lifestyle into the burgeoning Twentieth Century.

"An outstanding novel. What could have been a meandering history lesson is . . . fully formed, well written . . .detail in describing farm life and activities in the early part of the last century without sacrificing the dramatic narrative. Readers unanimously agree that, once started, they can't put it down . . ." - Bowkers Recommended List

"In this beautifully written novel . . .carefully researched by the author . . . set just after the turn of the last century . . .enough twists and turns to keep reader's interest level high. Readers who enjoy a wonderful story along with a mix of history will particularly enjoy Configurations.".. - Writer's Digest

". . . an insightful look at the state of affairs during that period-racial prejudice, the atrocities of the Ku Klux Klan, penniless families forced to migrate, multitudes of homeless people looking for work and food, and grassroots campaigns for political change - this book brings to the fore the social, cultural, economic, and political influences of the times. This elegantly constructed and emotionally powerful novel is a compelling read from first to last . . . though they belong to a bygone era, many of the problems encountered by (the Macklins) are timeless." - BookWire Review

A lifetime resident of Hillsboro, IL, Marilyn Felkel Lingle grew up on a farm much like the one in the story. Though Configurations is her first novel, following a 21-year-career in radio Lingle is now a columnist and feature-writer for the Hillsboro Journal-News. Married to Ivan Lingle in 1950, widowed in 2001, she is the mother of three, grandmother of seven, and-to date-great-grandmother of one.