The Quickening

In her early twenties, Iowa born and raised Michelle Hoover was given a 15-page diary written by her great-grandmother. Taking inspiration from the voice she found in those pages, Hoover wrote her debut novel, The Quickening, which tells the stories of Enidina and Mary, and of their lives as mothers and farmers' wives in the depression-era Midwest. In alternately narrated chapters, Enidina, nicknamed "Eddie," and Mary speak of how their harsh and lonely circumstances on the plains force them to establish an uncomfortable alliance with each other, as much from practical necessity as a basic need for female companionship. Though the story occasionally leaps ahead by years, Hoover maintains a steady, even pace throughout, letting the plot develop in subtly ominous increments. When slow-burning hurts and injustices erupt in a series of overdue conflicts, unleashing waves of resentment and contempt, their impact is fully realized and captured by Hoover with gripping clarity. While for the most part convincing, Hoover's characterizations, particularly of Mary, strain credulity at times and tend to make the contrast between Eddie's earthy instincts and Mary's conniving, brittle neuroses feel a bit too obvious. Nevertheless, The Quickening remains a compelling read and introduces Michelle Hoover as a writer to watch.