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''Wish You Well'' is a novel written by David Baldacci. First published in 2001, the story starts with the Cardinal family moving from New York to California due to money problems, then shifts to the mountains of Virginia after a car accident leaves the father dead and the mother in a catatonic state. The time period is in the 1940s. ==Characters== Louisa “Lou” Cardinal – the protagonist of the story. Lou is a 12-year-old girl whose world is thrown into chaos when her father, whom she is very attached to, is killed, and her mother stuck in a comatose state. She eventually goes to live with her great-grandmother, and experiences a completely different lifestyle. She is strong-willed, tough, and a little arrogant, quick to take (and sometimes to give) offense, and very thoughtful and almost openly critical. Still, deep in, she is caring and willing to make sacrifices for those around her. Oscar “Oz” Cardinal – Lou’s younger brother. Oz is 7 years old, and is very attached to his mother. When she heads in a coma, he grabs every minute hope that she will get better. Eternally optimistic, this character is always very innocent, radiant, and joyful, although easily frightened. Still, he is willing to stand up for those he loves, as he proves in the final court case. Oz matures throughout the novel physically, mentally, and spiritually. Amanda Cardinal – the mother of Lou and Oz, she is very protective of her children, and makes a great sacrifice for them when she uses her own body as a shield during the fateful accident. Helped by her children, in the end, she finds the strength to struggle out of her coma and plays a key role in moving the jury in court. Jack Cardinal – the father of Lou and Oz, he also tries to do what is best for his family. Always in need of money, he decides to move to California with promises of higher wages. However, that plan is thwarted when he is killed in an accident. He is seen as grim and determined, much like his daughter, yet also possesses inner kindness. Louisa Mae Cardinal – the great-grandmother of Lou and Oz. She is very hardy both physically and mentally despite her age, willing to stand up for herself no matter what the opponent, and acts as caretaker of the children. She is demanding, yet in return gives all that anyone could want. She has an almost endless source of wisdom, and advises the children in many predicaments. In the end, though, she falls victim to a stroke and dies. Eugene “Hell No” Randall – Louisa’s right hand man. He is the main workforce on the farm. Originally displayed as a mysterious, almost freaky person who never speaks, he turns out to be very considerate and focused, always on task and helpful. Jimmy “Diamond” Skinner – Lou and Oz’s best friend, who often takes them on various adventures. He is fun-loving and brave, seemingly unafraid of anything, going so far as to cross a chasm on a log, crawling under a locomotive that can start at any moment, and going in to save his dog with a stick of burning dynamite, which kills him, not too far away. George Davis – the main antagonist of the story. He is considered a wealthy farmer, affording to have servants in the field and machines. However, he is ruthless, and uncaring, starving his own children and wife. Billy Davis – the son of George Davis. He is initially portrayed as an enemy, but he gradually comes to an understanding with Lou and even stands up for them some. Cotton Longfellow – a lawyer from Boston. He frequently reads to Amanda, hoping that she will eventually recover. He bails out the children on several occasions and shows them around the city. He is the main hope for Louisa’s land as he battles out a legal case with Thurston Goode, a renowned lawyer. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Wish You Well (novel)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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