The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club

Cadence is one of the novel’s two protagonists, alongside her sister Briar. At 19, and with Tom fighting overseas, Cadence is the senior sibling at the farm. She doesn’t take her responsibility lightly, and she strives to make choices that put her family first. She regularly postpones her dream of working in New York publishing out of loyalty to her family.

Despite her dependable and steadfast character, Cadence is capable of strong emotion. She snaps at Briar, “Maybe prison would do you some good” (261), and she slaps Peter when he correctly guesses that the Allies left Tom to die. Her assertive sexuality—she initiates a sexual relationship with Major Gilbert—clashes with gender expectations of the time and contrasts with her sister Briar, who disdains sex and romance. While Cadence’s key character traits are present from the beginning of the novel, her arc involves learning to navigate the tension between her personal ambitions and her loyalty to the family. She is hence a dynamic character in that she gradually finds ways to pursue her dreams without sacrificing family. Her name, Cadence, reinforces her intentional, reliable rhythm. While Briar is rather willful and headstrong, Cadence remains mindful and dependable.