The Grace of the Ginkgo
Logline
The Grace of the Ginkgo chronicles the 24-year relationship of David Foley, a curmudgeon-like atheist, and his adopted granddaughter, Liesl, who is orphaned at birth. From hope to despair, humor to poignacy, performing arts to violence, "Ginkgo" is an emotional roller-coaster for readers.
Genre
Drama, Family,
Short Summary
Foley's only son, an army officer, is killed in Saudi Arabia by a terrorist, leaving a pregnant widow in Louisville. Devastated, a divorced Foley leaves Boston to move to Kentucky and live near his coming granddaughter, his only relative. When the mother dies at childbirth, Foley adopts the child.
Setting
Louisville, KY & Boston, MA
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth
Plot - Other Elements
Meaningful Message, Philosophical Questions, Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity, Nudity
Main Character Details
Name: David Foley is a successful Boston businessman and an avowed non-believer, who often wears his atheism on his sleeve. Though his entrepreneurial skills have him living comfortably, his only loving relationship is with his only child, Patrick. When Patrick is murdered as a young adult, David is despondent, to the point of considering suicide. The thought of his eminent granddaughter gives him hope for a semblance of family life and love, so he gives up urbanity and success in the Northeast, for proximity to granddaughter Liesl, retirement, and the slower pace of Mid-south Kentucky. David is also a patron of the performing arts and he and Liesl share this love often as the story unfolds.
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Outspoken, Sarcastic, Sophisticated, Unapologetic, Charming, Educated, Engaging, Insecure, Aggressive, Complex, Confident, Honorable
Additional Character Details
Name: Granddaughter Liesl is sweet, sensible and thoughtful. Sheis successful in school and though there's a hitch or two, she loves David unreservedly.
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Aspiring, Faithful, Obedient, Leader, Romantic, Beautiful, Charming, Educated, Empathetic, Gracious, Honorable
Additional Character Details
Name: Justine Colgate is a wealthy, divoreced classical musician, who plays the French horn in the Louisville Orchestra. She and David initially have a torris, soaring romance that eventually turns to a warm, grounded, loving relationship. She and David never marry, but remain together until the end. Her sophistication intrigues and enamors David, but it also provides ballast for his sometimes unorthodox behavior.
Age: 45
Gender: Female
Role: Logical
Key Traits: Educated, Faithful, Gracious, Honorable, Sophisticated, Charming, Confident, Engaging, Romantic, Strong Moral Code, Beautiful, Complex
Additional Character Details
Name: Madonna Maddox is the devoutly Catholic sister of Liesl's deceased mother. She provides a foil for David and their polar religeous views make sparks fly early. Madonna is initially dead-set against David becoming Liesl's guardian and lets that fact be known. David scoffs at her lifestyle in that she has seven homeschooled children and God himself is a big part of family life within the Maddox clan. David eventually realizes the loving and wholesome skill Madonna has as matriarch of a beautiful and moral family. Their tenacious feuding melts into mutual respect and their antithetical feelings for the other lightens into a more comedic rivalry.
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Honorable, Outspoken, Faithful, Manipulative, Religious, Skillful, Strong Moral Code, Aggressive, Blunt, Confident