Part 3: Chapters 16-17 Summary

Shadows and Light. Olivia spends the winter alone, studying with John Amos and waiting for letters from her beloved children. When spring comes, it brings the sad news that Joel has died in an avalanche while hiking with a group from the orchestra. Olivia is beyond herself with grief at this news. When the report comes from the police, Olivia plans a memorial service for her youngest son. Malcolm refuses to go, refusing to believe his son is dead without a body to bury. Olivia takes this as a further sign of Malcolm's indifference to his children, but John Amos sees it as crippling grief. John Amos begins visiting Malcolm in his study, helping him turn his grief toward the Bible. Through religion, Olivia and Malcolm finally settle into a cordial, almost happy, relationship. That same summer, Olivia and...