The Balloon Man

I bought this because it is by an Upper Michigan author. I hoped it would be set in the U.P. but it is not. I was also familiar with Armstrong's name although I don't remember having read anything else by her.

This book is hardcover, printed in 1968. It can be interesting and sometimes disturbing to read books from several years ago, as they reflect the culture of the time. This book is a good example of both "interesting" and "disturbing".

Sherry Reynard is married to a man, Ward, who has been experimenting with drugs. One day he comes out of the bedroom a badly changed man. He is violent and unseeing. He attacks Sherry and then throws their three-year-old son John across the room, unthinkingly. Sherry manages to hit ward with a frying show more pan and get John to a hospital, realizing that she cannot continue to live with Ward. She finds a room in a boarding house for the time that John will be in the hospital, and consults a lawyer about divorce.

All of this happens rather fast. I felt that the story was jumpy, assuming a lot, not filling in details. As it continued it seemed to find a pace I could accept.

Sherry's father-in-law has never liked Sherry, believing her not good enough for his son. She does not have the background or education his son has. He believes she is responsible for Ward's deterioration, and decides to find dirt on her so Ward can gain custody of John. To this end he hires shifty Cliff Storm, who is not above creating dirt if he can't find any. And thus the dirty tricks begin. Meanwhile, Ward is staying at his parents' home with a private nurse, a nurse who finds Ward's behavior erratic and unpredictable.

Thus Sherry is set up for difficulties. Will she be able to keep John? Will dark secrets emerge as Storm looks into her past?

Not a great book but readable, interesting enough to keep me going. What I found disconcerting were primarily two things: 1) Ward's permanent drug damage. Some people were damaged by LSD back in the early days but very few had permanent damage. I think Armstrong's perception was likely a common one at the time. 2) There is a young woman with Down Syndrome in the boarding house. She is referred to as "feeble-minded" and a "half-wit" and described as slow and uncomprehending. I think it's an unfair representation and insulting to boot. I don't know how common this perception was - I don't think I ever felt this way. show less