"Ellen and the Barber is a bittersweet remembrance of things past. O'Rourke follows the lives of three strong-willed young women during the Great Depression whose personalities simply shine through the dusty, small midwestern setting in which their stories take place. All three women set out to experience as much of life as possible in a society ruled by the constricting social mores of the time. Introduced are free-spirited Ellen, torn between the love of two men; traditionally minded Miriam, divided by duty and a last chance at happiness; and independent, adventure-seeking Vera, whose very strengths ultimately destroy her."--BOOK JACKET.