First published 1989
This 1989 work by Cheryl Jarvis presents a fictional narrative that examines questions of personal identity and cultural connection. The novel follows characters navigating relationships and self-discovery within their community. Jarvis constructs her story around moments of recognition and misunderstanding between people seeking to define themselves against the expectations of others. The characters face choices about loyalty, independence, and the weight of family history. Through their interactions, the book reveals how individual desires clash with collective responsibilities. The story builds toward confrontations that force each character to decide what matters most in their lives. Jarvis writes with attention to the small gestures and conversations that reveal deeper truths about human connection.
Genres: american-fiction, 20th-century, contemporary, 21st-century, cultural, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, self-discovery
Period: 1989
Paperback · Holt Rinehart and Winston