Heather Barbieri's "The Cottage at Glass Beach"

Heather Barbieri is the author of the novels Snow in July and The Lace Makers of Glenmara.

Here she dreamcasts an adaptation of her third novel, The Cottage at Glass Beach:

The Cottage at Glass Beach tells the story of Nora Cunningham, a political wife, who retreats to Burke’s Island, the remote Irish-American community where she was born, seeking answers to her mother’s decade’s-old disappearance, and to put distance between herself and the scandal surrounding her attorney general husband. But Nora finds more than she bargained for, as she struggles to confront the past and save her young children, who have embarked on a reckless journey of their own.

I don’t write my novels with film adaptations/actors in mind, but it’s fun to think about now—another good opportunity to put an active imagination to work! Here’s my dream cast:

Nora: There’s much under the surface with Nora. She keeps her emotions in check, both from force of habit, and she’s trying to be a good mother to her two young daughters while dealing with the scandal of her politician husband’s affair. An actress who understands subtlety, with a fine command of her craft, would be perfect for this role: Diane Lane or Naomi Watts.

Malcolm: Nora’s husband is far from being merely a cheating spouse/politician. Greg Kinnear would do an excellent job portraying this complex, conflicted character.

Ella: Hmm. Open casting call for the part of Nora’s brooding, whip-smart older daughter. Will be fun to see what bright new talent arrives on the scene.

Annie: Maggie Elizabeth Jones, utterly delightful in We Bought A Zoo, has the effortless charm that would shine in the part of Nora’s youngest child.

Maeve: The Irish actress Susan Lynch or Helena Bonham Carter would be naturals for the part of Nora’s enigmatic mother, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances decades before.

Maire: For Nora’s aunt, a woman with a long, complicated history and a secret she doesn’t reveal until it’s too late, the impeccable Meryl Streep.

Owen: And for the possibly otherworldly man with problems of his own, who unexpectedly comes into Nora’s life, the Irish actor, John Lynch or Jason Isaacs.

Learn more about the book and author at Heather Barbieri’s website.

The Page 69 Test: The Lace Makers of Glenmara.

The Page 69 Test: The Cottage at Glass Beach.

--Marshal Zeringue