Round Rock

More about the book

In a small town in the Santa Bernita Valley, life rarely unfolds as expected. Among its fewer than a hundred inhabitants, Red Ray, a struggling alcoholic lawyer, attempts to salvage his marriage by buying a dilapidated Victorian mansion. After a final binge derails his plans, he transforms the property into a drunk farm, Round Rock, where he embraces a new purpose one day at a time. Meanwhile, Libby Daw remains stuck in her trailer, feeling increasingly anchored to the valley she longs to escape after her husband leaves for Los Angeles. Lewis Fletcher, an erratic graduate student, unexpectedly finds himself under Red's care at Round Rock, despite his reluctance. As these characters navigate their lives, the town's peculiar history looms large. Billie Fitzgerald, an heiress from the original settlers, conceals her complex emotions while remaining devoted to her family. David Ibañez returns, discovering that his family's legacy in the groves is intertwined with his own future. With insight and artistry, the narrative explores their quests for peace, love, and happiness amidst human frailty. This vivid portrayal of landscape and community captures the struggles and resilience of its characters, making for a fresh and surprisingly mature debut that resonates deeply.