Slings and Arrows

Readers would perhaps be justified in thinking that Slings and Arrows, the fourth book in the Hindsights series, should be given a warning text regarding its emotionally wrenching content. This is that warning.

Having overcome the many obstacles to settling down in Sweden, Stan and Jeanette achieve (at least temporarily) the free and simple life they’d been seeking. Stan enters the most intensive and productive period in his painting, by far, with Jeanette’s strong moral support and urging. But once again, external circumstances threaten their equilibrium: Stan’s dad dies suddenly and Stan’s draft orders are cancelled, almost simultaneously; their first trip back to the US a year later confirms their conviction that Sweden is their new home; just months later, Jeanette’s dad’s death and horrifying funeral confirm their rejection of religion, but seem to launch Jeanette’s growing obsession with death; and they are forced to find new living quarters.

An exciting project to turn a derelict building into a home with great potential consumes most of their time and resources for two years, during which Stan has no time to paint and Jeanette’s condition worsens, perceptibly only through hindsight. With the end of the enormous restoration project in sight, Jeanette’s unforeseen suicide destroys every trace of Stan’s hope and meaning.