Tamsin Booker
Eustacia’s sister Thomasin (usually called Tamsin) is three years younger than Eustacia. An academic bright light in New Pembroke, she graduated at age 15, went on to study at Harvard and Yale, and is currently the youngest full professor of English literature ever to teach at Mt. Holyoke College. She specializes in architectural imagery in (and feminist critiques of) works by Thomas Hardy and other writers of his time.
She is also president of the school’s small but tight-knit ninepin bowling league. She enjoys coming home to visit Staysh, drinking Irish coffee, and going “real” bowling with her until the wee hours.
She has what Eustacia once considered a ridiculous interest in the unusual markings found on structures and fences around New Pembroke. Eustacia suddenly shares that interest, much to Tamsin’s surprise and delight. Unlike her sister, Tamsin is highly diplomatic, though she shares her sister’s disobedient tendencies. Like the rest of the Booker family, she is a diehard Springsteen fan, though a young singer on Boston’s club circuit named Melissa Etheridge is also a favorite. She hates rhubarb.
Family story: When Tamsin was in high school, she realized that both her parents had names similar to characters in Far From the Madding Crowd. “Sheer coincidence,” Bett said. Later she read Return of the Native and realized …. “Mom, what gives?” she asked. “I mean, did you read that book?” “Yes, babe,” replied Bett. “I just liked the names.” “But Mom, Eustacia is a mess and then she dies, and Tamsin gets jerked around by men, and Thomas Hardy is a pig.” “Honey, I just liked the names.” “Mo-om!!” Tamsin told Eustacia about it and they decided to call themselves Thelma and Louise, but decided those were ridiculous names and soon went back to what’s on their birth certificates.
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