For fans of authors like Barbara Kingsolver and Leif Enger, a stunning new voice in contemporary literary fiction.“Tragedy and blessing. Leave them alone long enough, and it gets real hard to tell them apart.” Elena Alvarez is living a cursed life. From the deadly fire she accidentally set as a child, to her mother’s abandonment, and now to an unwanted pregnancy, she knows better than most that … she knows better than most that small actions can have terrible consequences. Driven to the high mountains surrounding Leadville, Colorado by her latest bad decision, she’s intent on putting off the future. Perhaps there she can just hide in her grandmother’s isolated cabin and wait for something–anything–to make her next choice for her.
But instead of escape, she finds reminders of her own troubles reflected from every side–the recent widower and his two children adrift in a changed world, Elena’s own mysterious family history, and the interwoven lives within the town itself. Bit by bit, Elena begins to reconsider her role in the tragedies she’s held on to and the wounds she’s refused to let heal.
But then, in a single afternoon, when threads of cause and effect tangle, Elena’s fragile new peace is torn apart. It’s only at the prospect of fresh loss and blame that she will discover the truth of the terrible burdens we take upon ourselves, the way tragedy and redemption are inevitably bound together–and how curses can sometimes lead to blessings, however disguised.
more
The characters for the most part were interesting but the story started fading away and the ending completely formula. It did have it’s moments but just couldn’t give it 4 stars.
Highly recommended. Captivating plot, intelligent writing, colorful location. The main character has just graduated from college, but is unable to find a job in her area of expertise. She’s expecting a child and is unable to forgive herself for her role in a past tragedy. At her grandmother’s suggestion, she leaves LA and returns to her childhood home, the ghost town in Colorado where her grandmother lives. She has agreed to care for a widowed trucker’s two children during his stints on the road. The author plants a teaser early in the book. What happened to a girl who went missing there forty years earlier? This one is a real page-turner.
Not light reading, but good reading.
Extremely well written – a great story. The main character’s “voice” is eerily like my own; the insights made me think. This author writes highly attuned dialogue; these people seem so real! I spent time in Leadville, CO around when the story takes place; this book really captures what I remember.
My original Goodreads review back when I first read it: A lovely novel about redemption and forgiveness, although it’s not religious per se. The heroine has been running from her sense of guilt over a childhood misadventure that cost three lives, but in running from her most recent mess she ends up taking care of two kids whose dead mother had made her own mess. This is not something that would automatically interest me, but Catts does a great job with these children and we get to watch Lena do the maturing she has to do in order to give them what they need — which also, ultimately, gives her what she needs. Her grandmother is another great character who has her own arc. It also has a wonderful setting in a small town (and nearby ghost town) with a great sense of community — though not completely safe and warm — and a hint of romance to keep me interested (I wouldn’t have minded a little more). It ends with almost the same line as my first novel, so I am probably feeling more kinship with this author than I should. I know I’m really enjoying a novel when I’m thinking longingly of how much I want to pick it up when I need to be grading homework instead. Today’s my day off and the first thing I did was grab a cup of coffee and sit down to finish it.
Couldn’t get into it.
Well written and not what I expected! Loved it.
One of the best books I’ve read in years. I didn’t buy “Lesser Gods”, but I share a Kindle account with my wife and fortunately she bought it. The good reviews peaked my interest so I gave it a try. The plot is unusual with twists and turns. The key for me though is the development of several diverse and complex characters. The children, the early 20s lead, and the grandmother were all very believable with complex emotions. The tension created in the second half of the book was compelling beyond anything I have read in several years.
Didn’t finish
I loved the caring characters, and the clever application of classic mythical gods to a realistic modern storyline. I hope there are really people out there like the members of this community.
This story had so many layers to it! I loved the characters and thought the story line was original and thought provoking. A satisfying ending full of redemption and understanding of the similarities of events , thought quite different for each in the backgrounds of the different family members.
It was a paradyme shift for me.
Beautiful, lyrical prose, interesting characters and great story line. Couldn’t put this book down.
I loved the way the main character grew and discovered herself throughout the book and I loved her relationship with her grandmother.
Love the theme of loss that’s so applicable to any age. Well written–hard to believe it’s a debut novel for Margo Catts. Will look for more!
Seemed to me that the book ended when the real story was about to start. Silly little mistakes (like referring to puppies as “hairless”) make me wonder what else the author got wrong.
This is a wonderful book. I loved the characters, flaws and all. The story kept drawing me back to it. Very good ending.
I absolutely LOVED the characters in this novel. Living in a small town, the people were so caring and giving. Didn’t ever know quite what to expect and was always pleasantly surprised. I look forward to her next book!
Wonderful story. So much like Barbara Kingsolver!
Interesting plot