Plot Summary
Fire on the Riverbank
On a cool Michigan morning, Rhoda Sawbrook sits with her ailing husband, Edward, and confides that their daughter Jewell is about to set fire to Van Hargraves's boat for insurance money. The Sawbrooks, once proud landowners, are now beset by illness, debt, and the encroachment of wealthy resorters. Rhoda's stubbornness is both her shield and her curse, as she tries to protect her family and their land from being swallowed by outsiders. The fire is not just a crime—it's a desperate act, a spark that will set off a chain of events threatening to unravel the Sawbrook family's already fragile bonds. As the day unfolds, the riverbank becomes a stage for secrets, betrayals, and the relentless pull of history.
Sawbrook Family Secrets
The Sawbrook family's legacy is one of resilience, bootlegging, and fierce attachment to their land. Rhoda recalls ancestors who ran whiskey, fought off lumber barons, and survived by their wits and willingness to bend the law. The family's stubbornness is legendary, but it comes at a cost: estrangement, tragedy, and a sense of being besieged by change. Rhoda's children—Jewell, Lucy, and Buckner—each carry the weight of this history differently, their choices shaped by the ghosts of the past. The land is both inheritance and burden, a place where every tree and stone is haunted by stories of survival and sacrifice.
Jewell's Risky Gamble
Jewell, a talented poker player, is lured into Van Hargraves's scheme to burn his boat for a payout. Her recent losses in Las Vegas have left her broke and ashamed, and Van's offer seems like a chance to right her fortunes. She seeks counsel from her best friend Connie, who encourages her to take the risk, especially with the sheriff's department distracted by a local concert. Jewell's decision is not just about money—it's about proving herself, escaping the shadow of her family's expectations, and clinging to the land she loves. The plan is set, but Jewell's nerves and the weight of her choices threaten to unravel everything.
Lucy's Divided Loyalties
Lucy, the eldest Sawbrook sibling and a park ranger, is hosting a celebration for Buckner's sobriety while quietly resenting the family's dysfunction. She's estranged from her mother after putting her share of the land into a conservation trust, believing it's the only way to save it from development. Lucy's relationships are fraught: she feels betrayed by Jewell's secrecy and Buckner's unreliability, yet she can't stop trying to fix what's broken. Her efforts to balance loyalty to her family with her own ideals leave her isolated, and when the fire breaks out, Lucy is thrust into a crisis that will test her allegiances and force her to confront the limits of her control.
Buckner's Downward Spiral
Buckner, the Sawbrook son, is celebrated for his sobriety but is teetering on the edge. When his girlfriend Sky is assaulted at the strip club where she works, Buckner's rage and helplessness drive him back to drinking. His blackout leads to chaos: a stolen four-wheeler, a drunken standoff at the campground, and a violent confrontation with his sister Lucy. Buckner's struggle is not just with alcohol but with the legacy of Sawbrook pain—trauma, war, and the sense of never measuring up. His relapse is both a personal failure and a symptom of the family's deeper wounds.
The Boat Burns
Jewell executes the plan, setting Van's boat ablaze under cover of darkness. The fire is both beautiful and terrifying, a symbol of everything the Sawbrooks are willing to risk for survival. But the aftermath is immediate and chaotic: Lucy sees the flames from town, emergency services swarm the river, and Jewell's escape is nearly thwarted by her sister's pursuit. The burning boat becomes a flashpoint, drawing the attention of law enforcement and exposing the family's secrets. When it's discovered that a body was on board, the stakes escalate from arson to possible murder.
Siblings in Collision
The fire brings the siblings into direct conflict. Lucy, injured in a fall while chasing Jewell, is stitched up by Rhoda in a makeshift surgery that is as much about pain as it is about love. Accusations fly: Jewell's recklessness, Lucy's sanctimony, Buckner's failures. The siblings are forced to confront the ways they've hurt each other and the impossibility of escaping their shared history. Their arguments are raw, laced with both affection and resentment, as they try to navigate the fallout of the fire and the threat of legal consequences.
The Land and Its Ghosts
The Sawbrook land is more than property—it's a living memory, shaped by generations of struggle and loss. Rhoda reflects on her ancestors, the bootleggers and outlaws who fought to keep the land in the family. The land mines left by Grandpa Harvard, the family cemetery, and the stories of violence and survival all serve as reminders that the past is never far away. As the family hides from the authorities, the land becomes both sanctuary and trap, its beauty shadowed by the dangers lurking beneath the surface.
The Mushroom Hunter's Fate
A mushroom hunter, drawn by the promise of wild morels, strays onto Sawbrook land and is killed by one of Harvard's old land mines. The discovery of her severed arm by Harold, Buckner's dog, adds a new layer of crisis. The family debates what to do: cover up the death, report it, or use it as a distraction. The woman's fate is a grim reminder of the unintended consequences of the Sawbrooks' efforts to protect what's theirs. Her death becomes a catalyst, forcing the family to make impossible choices as the authorities close in.
Rhoda's Last Stand
With law enforcement circling and the Coast Guard on the water, Rhoda realizes that the only way to save her children is to take the blame herself. She orchestrates a plan to make herself the prime suspect in the arson and the deaths, calling the sheriff and planting evidence. In a final act of defiance and love, Rhoda and Edward arm themselves and face down the police on their porch, refusing to surrender. Their deaths are both a tragedy and a victory—an act of agency that spares their children from prosecution and ensures the land remains in Sawbrook hands.
The Family Fractures
In the aftermath of Rhoda and Edward's deaths, the siblings are left to pick up the pieces. Old grievances resurface: Jewell's secret sale of her land, Lucy's guilt over the trust, Buckner's shame over his relapse. The family's fractures are laid bare, but so too is their resilience. They argue, mourn, and ultimately begin to forgive each other, recognizing that their survival depends on unity. The land, once a source of conflict, becomes a place of healing as they find new ways to honor their parents' legacy.
The Escape Plan
Before Rhoda's sacrifice, the family attempts a last-ditch escape. Jewell and Buckner try to flee by boat, aiming for Canada, while Lucy and Rhoda gather supplies and create diversions. The plan is fraught with peril: patrol boats, helicopters, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. The escape is less about actual flight and more about the hope of a future unburdened by the past. In the end, the attempt is foiled, but it cements the siblings' commitment to each other and to the land.
The Coast Guard Closes In
As Jewell and Buckner make their run for the border, the Coast Guard and sheriff's department close in. The siblings are trapped, forced to surrender as the authorities descend. The tension is palpable, the sense of inevitability crushing. Yet, in this moment of defeat, there is also a strange relief—the end of running, the possibility of starting over. The family's fate now rests on the choices made in the heat of crisis.
The Truths We Carry
In the quiet after the storm, the siblings confront the truths they've tried to avoid: Jewell's failed gamble, Lucy's complicated love for the land, Buckner's struggle with addiction. They share stories, confess regrets, and begin to understand the depth of their parents' sacrifices. The land, once a battleground, becomes a place of memory and possibility. The siblings are changed—scarred, but not broken—by what they've endured.
The End of the Line
Rhoda's death is both an ending and a beginning. By taking the blame, she ensures her children's freedom and the survival of the Sawbrook land. The authorities, eager to close the case, accept the narrative she's crafted. The siblings inherit not just property, but the weight of history and the responsibility to do better. The family's story is one of survival, but also of the costs exacted by pride, love, and the refusal to let go.
Aftermath and Inheritance
In the months following the tragedy, the siblings rebuild their lives. Buckner marries Sky and moves into a trailer on the property, Jewell returns to the poker tables, and Lucy moves back into Mabel's house. The land trust remains, a compromise between preservation and tradition. The family's wounds are slow to heal, but there is hope in the routines of daily life and the bonds that remain. The land, scarred but enduring, is both inheritance and promise.
The Land Remembers
The Sawbrook land is a character in its own right, holding the stories of those who have lived and died on its soil. The siblings feel the presence of their parents, ancestors, and even the strangers who have passed through. The land is a place of mourning and celebration, a reminder that history is never truly past. As the seasons turn, the family finds solace in the rhythms of nature and the knowledge that they are part of something larger than themselves.
New Roots, Old Wounds
The Sawbrooks' story ends not with triumph, but with endurance. The siblings remain on the land, changed by loss but determined to honor their parents' legacy. They plant new roots, even as old wounds linger. The land is preserved, but at great cost—a testament to the power of love, the dangers of pride, and the enduring pull of home. In the end, the trouble up north is not just about land or family, but about the choices we make to protect what matters most.
Characters
Rhoda Sawbrook
Rhoda is the indomitable heart of the Sawbrook family, defined by her stubbornness, resourcefulness, and deep love for her land and children. She is both a product and a guardian of generations of Sawbrook defiance, carrying the scars of family tragedy and the burden of keeping the land safe from outsiders. Rhoda's relationships with her children are complex—she is critical, sometimes harsh, but always motivated by love and a sense of duty. Her psychoanalysis reveals a woman who equates self-worth with sacrifice, unable to let go even when it means risking everything. In the end, her willingness to take the fall for her children is both her greatest strength and her undoing, sealing her legacy as a tragic, heroic figure.
Edward Clark
Edward, Rhoda's husband, is a quiet, steady presence, weakened by illness but still the emotional anchor of the family. He is more conciliatory than Rhoda, often smoothing over conflicts and offering dry humor in the face of hardship. His love for Rhoda is unwavering, and he supports her even as he recognizes the futility of some battles. Edward's psychoanalysis reveals a man resigned to his fate, finding meaning in small joys and memories. His death alongside Rhoda is an act of solidarity, a final affirmation of their shared life and values.
Jewell Sawbrook
Jewell is the family's gambler—both literally and figuratively. Charismatic and sharp, she uses her poker skills to navigate a world that often feels rigged against her. Jewell's relationship with her mother is fraught with both admiration and rebellion; she seeks approval but resents the weight of expectation. Her psychoanalysis reveals a woman driven by a need to prove herself, haunted by failure, and desperate to hold onto the land and her sense of belonging. Jewell's arc is one of reckoning—with her own limitations, her family's history, and the consequences of her choices.
Lucy Sawbrook
Lucy is the eldest sibling, torn between loyalty to her family and her commitment to environmental preservation. As a park ranger and conservationist, she believes the only way to save the land is to put it in trust, even if it means alienating her mother. Lucy's psychoanalysis reveals a woman who craves order and control, often at the expense of emotional connection. Her relationships with Jewell and Buckner are marked by both protectiveness and judgment. Lucy's journey is one of learning to accept imperfection—in herself, her family, and the world she's trying to save.
Buckner Sawbrook
Buckner is the family's black sheep, struggling with addiction and a sense of inadequacy. His attempts at sobriety are sincere but fragile, easily undone by trauma and self-doubt. Buckner's psychoanalysis reveals a man haunted by war, family expectations, and the fear of never being enough. His relationship with Sky and her son offers a chance at redemption, but he is constantly at risk of self-sabotage. Buckner's arc is one of survival—learning to forgive himself and find purpose in the midst of chaos.
Sky
Sky, Buckner's girlfriend, is a dancer at the local strip club and a single mother. She is tough, resourceful, and unafraid to speak her mind. Sky's psychoanalysis reveals a woman shaped by hardship but unwilling to be defined by it. Her relationship with Buckner is both a source of strength and vulnerability, offering him a chance at stability and family. Sky's presence challenges the Sawbrooks to reconsider their assumptions about outsiders and what it means to belong.
Van Hargraves
Van is a wealthy resorter whose plan to burn his own boat for insurance money sets the novel's events in motion. He is charming, reckless, and ultimately self-destructive, orchestrating his own death to provide for his husband, Franklin. Van's psychoanalysis reveals a man desperate for control in a world that feels empty, using money and manipulation to fill the void. His death is both a crime and a sacrifice, complicating the moral landscape of the story.
Franklin
Franklin, Van's husband, is a gentle, well-meaning man caught between worlds. He is both a symbol of the resorters' privilege and a victim of Van's schemes. Franklin's psychoanalysis reveals a man struggling with grief, guilt, and the challenge of finding meaning after loss. His interactions with the Sawbrooks, especially Buckner, offer moments of connection and understanding across social divides.
Connie Becker
Connie is Jewell's best friend and confidante, offering practical advice and emotional support. She is a single mother, toughened by circumstance but still capable of humor and warmth. Connie's psychoanalysis reveals a woman who has learned to survive by relying on community and refusing to give in to despair. Her presence grounds Jewell and provides a counterpoint to the Sawbrooks' insularity.
Harold
Harold, Buckner's dog, is more than a pet—he is a symbol of loyalty, resilience, and the possibility of healing. His presence offers comfort in moments of crisis and serves as a reminder of the simple, unconditional bonds that endure even when human relationships falter. Harold's psychoanalysis, if such a thing is possible, would reveal a creature attuned to the emotional currents of the family, offering solace without judgment.
Plot Devices
Interwoven Perspectives and Nonlinear Narrative
The novel employs a rotating point-of-view structure, allowing readers to inhabit the minds of Rhoda, Jewell, Lucy, Buckner, and others. This device deepens the psychological complexity of the story, revealing how each character's version of events is shaped by memory, bias, and emotion. The nonlinear timeline—moving between past and present, memory and action—mirrors the way trauma and history haunt the Sawbrooks. Foreshadowing is used throughout: the land mines, the family cemetery, and the stories of past violence all hint at the explosive consequences to come. The narrative's structure reinforces the themes of inheritance, inevitability, and the difficulty of escaping one's roots.
Symbolism of Land and Water
The Sawbrook land is not just a setting but a living symbol of history, identity, and conflict. Water—the river, the falls, the bay—serves as both boundary and passage, representing the possibility of escape and the danger of being swept away. The recurring motif of fire (the boat, the land mines) underscores the destructive potential of both love and pride. The land's physical features—mines, fences, trails—are metaphors for the boundaries the family draws around itself, and the ways those boundaries are inevitably breached.
Family Lore and Oral Tradition
The Sawbrooks' reliance on family stories—bootlegging, border runs, legendary ancestors—serves as both a source of strength and a prison. These tales justify present actions, shape identity, and provide a sense of continuity, but they also perpetuate cycles of violence and exclusion. The novel uses these stories to explore how the past is both a resource and a burden, and how the act of storytelling can be both redemptive and destructive.
Moral Ambiguity and Shifting Blame
The plot is driven by morally ambiguous choices: arson, cover-ups, betrayals, and sacrifices. The characters are forced to navigate a world where right and wrong are blurred by necessity, love, and fear. The shifting of blame—from Jewell to Rhoda, from Buckner to Lucy—reflects the difficulty of assigning responsibility in a family and a community shaped by trauma. The novel resists easy answers, instead inviting readers to sit with discomfort and uncertainty.
Analysis
The Trouble Up North is a searing exploration of what it means to belong—to a family, a place, a history. Through the lens of the Sawbrook family, Travis Mulhauser interrogates the costs of stubbornness, the dangers of nostalgia, and the ways in which love can both save and destroy. The novel is deeply attuned to the economic and cultural pressures facing rural America: the loss of industry, the encroachment of wealth, the erosion of community. Yet it refuses to romanticize the past or demonize the present; instead, it offers a nuanced portrait of people doing their best with what they have. The land, in all its beauty and brutality, is both inheritance and battleground, shaping the characters' choices and sealing their fates. Ultimately, the novel suggests that survival requires both memory and change—that to honor the past, we must be willing to let go, forgive, and plant new roots. The Trouble Up North is a story of endings and beginnings, of wounds that never fully heal, and of the stubborn hope that endures even in the ashes.
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