Cape May

Chip Cheek’s debut novel, Cape May (2019), follows naive young newlyweds Henry and Effie Tarleton as they descend into debauchery under the tutelage of sophisticated friends. While honeymooning at Cape May, New Jersey, Henry and Effie awaken to the world of sensual pleasures—and the consequences of their indulgence. In Cape May, Cheek explores powerful themes of marriage, betrayal, hypocrisy, and the corruption of innocence. Cape May received starred reviews from both Kirkus and Booklist and The Wall Street Journal declared that Cape May “seduces.”

Henry and Effie have known each other since they were children. They grew up together in the small town of Signal Creek, Georgia, and shared the same classroom all through grade school. Henry admits he did not much like Effie when she was little: she was a town girl, the daughter of the mayor and not particularly kind. Henry was sweet on Effie’s friend, Ida June. But when Ida June got pregnant by another guy, Henry realized that Effie was available and the two tied the knot just after graduating high school. Effie is strong-willed and knows what she wants: a minimum of five kids, some dogs, and a busy home. Her determination alarms Henry initially (and he thinks Effie is a little bit spoiled), but he is thrilled to be married. The two share similar values: both are religious and family-centered, and together make a classic example of a strait-laced 1950s couple. The year is 1957; Henry is 20 and Effie 18 when they leave for their September honeymoon at Cape May.

Henry has never been north of Atlanta, so everything is new and exciting to him, from the big harbor to the majestic Victorian houses. They stay at the house of Effie’s Uncle George for their two-week holiday. Effie has only visited Cape May in the summertime and is surprised to find the resort town mostly shut down for the off-season. The two gently and awkwardly lose their virginity. Henry wishes Effie were more adventurous but does not know how to ask for what he desires. The days pass quietly, and their lovemaking becomes more natural. Effie finds the town depressing and wants to go home early. Henry wants to stay.



One night, they notice lights in a house nearby. They visit the following evening and are pulled into a madcap party. Effie discovers that the house is occupied by Clara Kirschbaum nee Strauss, a friend of Effie’s older cousin, Holly. Effie does not have fond memories of Clara. She tells Henry that Clara used to make fun of her and is just a “snot-nosed bully and a harlot.” Clara is tall, pretty, and in her early thirties. Thrilled to see Effie and Henry, she effusively sweeps them into the soirée. Henry is dazzled by the sophisticated conversations peppered with taboo language, the Louis Prima music, and his first taste of gin. They meet Richard, Clara’s elderly and wealthy husband, and Clara’s dear friend, Max, a strong, blue-eyed, good-looking writer. Henry finds Max’s younger half-sister, Alma, intriguing. The newlyweds drink and dance the night away, deciding to stay for the rest of their honeymoon.

Clara and Max take Henry and Effie under their wing. Richard departs and Clara explains that there are different kinds of marriages: hers is open. Together the group goes sailing, spends evenings playing charades and card games, and even sneaks into empty neighboring summer homes, drinking excessively all the while. Henry finds the new experiences titillating, and his lovemaking with Effie grows more creative. Their honeymoon ends, but Clara and Max urge them to move into their home and extend their stay. Henry is attracted to Alma. Effie catches a cold and goes to bed early after a local dance, but Henry attends the after-party and has sex with Alma. Henry is immediately contrite but continues to seek out and be intimate with Alma. Henry feigns insomnia, meeting Alma night after night in one of the closed-up houses. Henry tells Alma he loves her, and Alma wants Henry to run away with her. The two make plans to leave. When Alma boards a train for New York, Henry believes that Alma has left without him. Henry feels relieved, vowing to always be “loyal to her in his dreams.”

With Alma gone, Clara and Max are more brazen. The four play a drinking game, which leads to stripping, which leads to Clara and Henry having sex while Max and Effie have sex. Henry is jealous that Effie does not make the same sounds of pleasure when she has sex with him, is envious of Max’s prodigious manhood, and is appalled that Effie would have sex with another man. Henry thinks, “It was one thing for Henry, but for her, his wife, his girl.” Henry shames Effie, thinking he’ll never be able to look at her the same way again.



Alma never left Cape May. She wakes Henry from his sleep next to Effie and encourages him to run away. Effie catches the two together and is furious at Henry’s hypocrisy. Effie walks out on Henry, who thinks maybe he can still run away with Alma. He searches for Alma in the empty house, but the owners are home, and they have Henry arrested. Clara helps Henry get out of jail. Effie returns and rejects Henry’s protestations of love, but coldly decides that when Henry inherits the 1,000 acres of his family property, it will secure their children’s financial future. Effie announces she is pregnant. The two take the train back to Signal Creek.

Henry and Effie stay together for the rest of their lives. They have three daughters and one son who dies in infancy. Effie suffers from depression and turns to drink and to the Methodist Church. Henry works on the railroad and has multiple affairs. Effie has an affair with a revival minster that Henry discovers only after her death.