Anne Valente is the author of two novels and a short story collection. Her works delve into intricate human relationships and the inner lives of characters with keen empathy. Valente is known for her precise prose and her ability to craft evocative atmospheres that draw readers into the depths of human psychology. Her writing is characterized by a lyrical style and a profound meditation on themes of love, loss, and the search for identity.
The story follows two estranged sisters who reunite after their mother's unexpected death. Embarking on a road trip across the USA, they trace a breadcrumb trail left by their mother, revealing hidden facets of her life. As they journey together, they not only uncover family secrets but also forge a deeper connection with each other, highlighting themes of loss, discovery, and reconciliation.
Valente's beautiful, elegiac novel about a community in mourning, and the unseen forces that unravel and consume us after a tragedy, is a work of heartbreaking timeliness. J. Ryan Stradal, New York Times bestselling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest
The collection features thirteen stories that delve into the delicate boundaries separating wonder from loss and magic from grief. Each narrative weaves together elements of the fantastical with poignant emotional experiences, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of life and the interplay of joy and sorrow. Through rich storytelling, the author illuminates how moments of enchantment can coexist with profound heartache, crafting a tapestry of human experience that resonates deeply.