"Learning to Drive" (2003) by Mary Hays follows Charlotte McGuffey, a grieving young widow who is grappling with guilt and self-reflection after the tragic death of her husband, Melvin. Set in the early 1950s, Charlotte, a mother of two, had recently asked for a separation from Melvin before his fatal trip to Beede, Vermont. To find solace and answers, Charlotte moves to the family farm in Beede, where she confronts her past, her faith, and her family’s influence. Surrounded by new acquaintances and faced with challenging truths about her upbringing and beliefs, including the diagnosis of her son with autism, Charlotte begins a transformative journey towards self-discovery and acceptance. This debut novel by Mary Hays explores themes of faith, family, and personal growth.
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