Grieving 20-something Kirsten might be falling for both her divorced boss and handsome co-worker, and distraught mother Ella waits in agony for any news after her ex-husband took their daughter and disappeared.Īs these stories come together, Joella extols what is common to all of humanity: We need each other, both in celebration and in mourning. There’s widower Chuck, who receives daily visits from his well-meaning friend Sal. With an observant eye and poetic sensitivity, Joella captures poignant moments and intense feelings, leaving the reader with a sense of recognition and comfort. Once again, Joella’s characters are as real as they come. A dead wife, a missing little girl, a murdered father-difficult losses and sudden fractures swiftly disrupt previously enjoyable lives. But in the time it takes to have a few drinks at a bar or stop at a gas station, love can be found, friendships discovered and hope renewed. It is quiet in the way of ordinary life, yet even this small domestic sphere contains shocking moments of tragedy and chaos. After inviting readers into a small world of everyday people with his first novel, A Little Hope, Ethan Joella sets his second novel in a similar community, one full of folks whose uniquely challenging lives eventually intertwine.Ī Quiet Life is indeed quiet, in that there’s no cross-country adventure or mysterious plot, just a snowy Pennsylvania winter and endless ruminations.
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