Tatjana Soli crafts narratives with keen attention to detail and penetrating psychological depth. Her works frequently explore the complexities of human relationships and the moral quandaries her characters navigate. Stylistically, Soli employs a rich, evocative prose that immerses readers in the atmosphere of her stories. She delves into themes of memory, loss, and the search for meaning within often challenging circumstances.
A tremendously evocative debut, a love story set in the hallucinatory atmosphere of war, described in translucent, fever-dream prose.'Janice Y. K. Lee, author of the bestselling The Piano Teacher'Winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction, 2011
As the first wave of pioneers travel westward to settle the American frontier, two women discover their inner strength when their lives are irrevocably changed by hardship. With taut, suspenseful writing, Tatjana Soli tells the intertwining stories of Libbie Custer, wife of the Civil War hero; and Anne Cummins, a teenager taken captive by the Cheyenne. Both will grow into women unwilling to be restrained by the strictures of 19th-century society.
Set against the backdrop of westward expansion, two women navigate the challenges and hardships of the American frontier. Their journey reveals profound personal growth and resilience as they confront the trials of pioneer life. Through their experiences, the novel explores themes of strength and transformation in a rugged and unforgiving landscape, highlighting the often-overlooked stories of women in history.