Book Reviews

By Melissa Faliveno
10/21/25
264 pages
$29
Little, Brown and Company

‘Hemlock’

Melissa Faliveno’s “Hemlock” is a story about addiction, isolation and a creepy deer. This is a haunting novel that balances psychological tension with an intimate exploration of identity and that indefinable sense of place that roots so many people. Set in a small Wisconsin town, the story follows a woman named Sam who is returning home after years away. She will finally have to wrestle with both her past and her present in a thousand ways as she is tossed about in a sea of alcohol, memories and her own inner demons.

The tension builds less through plot twists than through the simmering emotional undercurrents that Sam is flailing through. While there are secrets here, what actually happened to Sam’s mother? This is less a mystery and more a slow-burn character study that treats the location as a main character in the best way.

Faliveno’s background as an essayist is evident in her almost documentary-style descriptions and her ability to capture the nuances inherent in any place. Yet, the novel never feels overwritten; instead, it offers a sharp, immersive experience that lingers long after the final page. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich

By George Saunders
01/27/26
192 pages
$25
Random House

‘Vigil’

George Saunders’ skill at breaking my heart in surprising ways is unparalleled. His newest offering, “Vigil,” is yet another testament to his ability to fuse morality and emotion into a close-fitting narrative that feels bigger than it should. There are questions of humanity, honor, selfishness and how everything we do affects others, intentionally or not.

A stereotypical oil baron is about to die. In that death, he will come to face the myriad ways his actions have changed others’ lives for better or worse. His justifications and very grey morals seem obvious on the face of things, but, like so many things in this world, there are layers and layers to dig through. What is one human life, really?

When the world outside feels so broken, a story of connection between even the most flawed of people feels revolutionary. Saunders invites readers to consider what it truly means to show up for others — quietly, imperfectly but wholeheartedly. The result is a story that manages to be uplifting in the saddest of ways. Short but full of rhythm and just surreal enough to shine, this feels like an instinct classic to me. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich