New York City
Tim Slover’s Lightning Rod takes place in 1775, the eve of the American Revolution. But Benjamin Franklin is not in America. He is in London — where he has lived more or less continuously, acting as colonial agent, for 15 years — with his grandson Temple. Meanwhile, in America, Franklin’s son and Temple’s father, William, the Royal Governor of New Jersey, writes his father. William, who is loyal to the Crown, is growing increasingly alarmed by the events speeding America towards open conflict with England. Moreover, his mother, Ben’s wife, Deborah has fallen gravely ill. William urges his father to come home — his wife needs him, his country needs him and he needs him.
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