Quarter Finalist
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: This is a sophisticated and engaging period work that offers readers a bit of everything. Set in 1915, readers will be transported back in time where they will happily stay ensconced until Beatrice's story reaches its gratifying conclusion. The plot is richly detailed, satisfyingly complex, and engrossing.
Prose: Gable is a first-rate storyteller, able to convincingly recreate a bygone era not just in setting and prose but in cultural norms of the time. The language in particular is true to the time period, which greatly enhances this captivating work. Description is multilayered and flows perfectly within the narrative, and the prose here is refined and polished.
Originality: This delightfully meandering plot and exquisite historical setting will capture readers' minds and hearts from the first page.
Character/Execution: Gable constructs lifelike, dynamic characters—particularly Beatrice and Jonah—whose yearning to find a secure place of belonging will resonate with readers. Secondary characters, including Varina and Beatrice's other classmates, are convincing and lively.
Date Submitted: August 17, 2024
