Genre Fiction
![Ethan Joella - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_ethan_joella.jpg)
A Quiet Life: A Novel
From the author of A Little Hope-a Read with Jenna Bonus Pick-comes an enormously powerful and life-affirming novel about three individuals whose lives intersect in unforeseen ways.
Set in a close-knit Pennsylvania suburb in the grip of winter, A Quiet Life follows three people grappling with loss and finding a tender wisdom in their grief.
Chuck Ayers used to look forward to nothing so much as his annual trip to Hilton Head with his wife, Cat-that yearly taste of relaxation they'd become accustomed to in retirement, after a lifetime of working and raising two children. Now, just months after Cat's death, Chuck finds that he can't let go of her things-her favorite towel, the sketchbooks in her desk drawer-as he struggles to pack for a trip he can't imagine taking without her.
Ella Burke delivers morning newspapers and works at a bridal shop to fill her days while she anxiously awaits news-any piece of information-about her missing daughter. Ella adjusts to life in a new apartment and answers every call on her phone, hoping her daughter will reach out one day.
After the sudden death of her father, Kirsten Bonato set aside her veterinary school aspirations, finding comfort in the steady routine of working at an animal shelter. But as time passes, old dreams and new romantic interests begin to surface-and Kirsten finds herself at another crossroads.
In this beautifully crafted and profoundly moving novel, three parallel narratives converge in poignant and unexpected ways, as each character bravely presses onward, trying to recover something they have lost. Emotionally riveting and infused with hope, A Quiet Life celebrates humanity in the midst of uncertainty.
Set in a close-knit Pennsylvania suburb in the grip of winter, A Quiet Life follows three people grappling with loss and finding a tender wisdom in their grief.
Chuck Ayers used to look forward to nothing so much as his annual trip to Hilton Head with his wife, Cat-that yearly taste of relaxation they'd become accustomed to in retirement, after a lifetime of working and raising two children. Now, just months after Cat's death, Chuck finds that he can't let go of her things-her favorite towel, the sketchbooks in her desk drawer-as he struggles to pack for a trip he can't imagine taking without her.
Ella Burke delivers morning newspapers and works at a bridal shop to fill her days while she anxiously awaits news-any piece of information-about her missing daughter. Ella adjusts to life in a new apartment and answers every call on her phone, hoping her daughter will reach out one day.
After the sudden death of her father, Kirsten Bonato set aside her veterinary school aspirations, finding comfort in the steady routine of working at an animal shelter. But as time passes, old dreams and new romantic interests begin to surface-and Kirsten finds herself at another crossroads.
In this beautifully crafted and profoundly moving novel, three parallel narratives converge in poignant and unexpected ways, as each character bravely presses onward, trying to recover something they have lost. Emotionally riveting and infused with hope, A Quiet Life celebrates humanity in the midst of uncertainty.
Editorial Reviews
Praise for A Quiet Life
"Community and grief are at the center of this tender novel in which three residents of a tightly knit Pennsylvania suburb are each grappling with losing loved ones when their lives begin to converge in unexpected ways." -The New York Times Book Review
"Joella develops his characters with enormous empathy... The pleasure of discovering connections is one of the most basic joys of reading and is key to Joella's storytelling.... The soothing tone and warm worldview of this grown-up bedtime story will be good for what ails you." -Kirkus
"Heartwarming, character-driven charm. Empathetic without becoming saccharine, A Quiet Life highlights the power of closure and the importance of a connected, compassionate community." -Booklist
"A Quiet Life is filled with people I'd like to meet. Ethan Joella's latest novel reminds us that life is made of journeys, not only destinations. Read this one slowly; you'll want to savor the details." -Charmaine Wilkerson, author of Black Cake
"A Quiet Life shines with the courage and heart of its characters. Through elegant prose, this powerful book reminds us that in grief and loss we stand united in the love, resilience, and connection that define our humanity. Readers will emerge from these intersecting stories transformed, hopeful, and inspired." -Qian Julie Wang, author of Beautiful Country
"I adored A Quiet Life. Soft as silk, powerful as a punch, Ethan Joella doesn't shirk from the trauma of grief but delivers real hope in our capacity to survive. A beautifully written page-turner like this one is hard to find." -Nikki May, author of Wahala
"A Quiet Life is about the transformative power of connection if we are willin...
"Community and grief are at the center of this tender novel in which three residents of a tightly knit Pennsylvania suburb are each grappling with losing loved ones when their lives begin to converge in unexpected ways." -The New York Times Book Review
"Joella develops his characters with enormous empathy... The pleasure of discovering connections is one of the most basic joys of reading and is key to Joella's storytelling.... The soothing tone and warm worldview of this grown-up bedtime story will be good for what ails you." -Kirkus
"Heartwarming, character-driven charm. Empathetic without becoming saccharine, A Quiet Life highlights the power of closure and the importance of a connected, compassionate community." -Booklist
"A Quiet Life is filled with people I'd like to meet. Ethan Joella's latest novel reminds us that life is made of journeys, not only destinations. Read this one slowly; you'll want to savor the details." -Charmaine Wilkerson, author of Black Cake
"A Quiet Life shines with the courage and heart of its characters. Through elegant prose, this powerful book reminds us that in grief and loss we stand united in the love, resilience, and connection that define our humanity. Readers will emerge from these intersecting stories transformed, hopeful, and inspired." -Qian Julie Wang, author of Beautiful Country
"I adored A Quiet Life. Soft as silk, powerful as a punch, Ethan Joella doesn't shirk from the trauma of grief but delivers real hope in our capacity to survive. A beautifully written page-turner like this one is hard to find." -Nikki May, author of Wahala
"A Quiet Life is about the transformative power of connection if we are willin...
Readers Top Reviews
She Treads Softly
A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella is a very highly recommended heartbreaking and heartwarming literary novel following the lives of three people who have all suffered a terrible loss. Joella's first novel, A Little Hope, was on my list of best novels of 2021 and A Quiet Life is also an excellent novel. In a Pennsylvania suburb, Chuck Ayers, Ella Burke, and Kirsten Bonato are all experiencing tremendous grief and loss. Chuck's wife, Cat, has died and he is struggling with living without her. Ella is simply trying to survive by working constantly while hoping for information about her missing daughter. Kristen's father suddenly died and she has set aside her goals while working at an animal rescue center and trying to deal with the loss. This is a beautifully written novel that you will cherish as you read each carefully crafted word and connect with these wounded souls who are trying their best to carry on while under a great emotional burden. Chapters alternate between the lives of these richly portrayed characters in heartbreaking narratives until their lives converge unexpectedly and emotionally. A Quiet Life is very much a character driven novel. With empathy, hope, sympathy, and emotionally accessible language, Joella makes these character all realistic individuals you will care deeply about. All of them are portrayed as fully realized characters with great insight and realistic details. There is great comfort found in the journey these characters undertake and the healing they are slowly experiencing. In the end the encouragement to be there for someone are words that can speak to all of us. Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Scribner via NetGalley.
Danielle BShe Tre
This was a great book. It discusses the events of three people and how they all try to heal. I enjoyed the overall story and would read more books by this talented author.
Christine Terrell
4.5 stars rounded to 4 stars A Quiet Life. What a little gem. This lovely book is a quiet introspective novel about three people who have suffered devastating losses and their quests to comes to terms with their misfortunes. Chuck’s beloved wife has died, and Chuck carries a major regret that has never been resolved. Ella’s precious daughter Riley has disappeared, and she doesn’t know if her little girl is even alive anymore. Kirsten’s dear father was killed. He was a special man who meant everything to her. How these people come to terms with their losses and all their “what ifs” is the crux of this book. I loved these characters and found all of them to be very realistic. I also appreciated how most of the book played out in their thoughts. There were many more inner thoughts than conversation, something I really liked. These characters came to intersect with each other in remarkable ways. The author makes clear that while you cannot always “cure” or get back your losses, you can figure out how to live with them and move on to a good life. Though I enjoyed all the arcs of the story, I found Chuck’s situation to strike me the deepest. I must mention the book cover. What a marvelous cover. It perfectly represents what’s inside. I also commend the author for such a well written book. The writing is simple yet stirring, and though the story is very contemplative it moves quickly. I found the ending to be very satisfying. It did not have nor need an epilogue. This was Mr. Joella’s second of two novels. I have already put his first (A Little Hope) on my on-deck list and will likely read it early next year. I highly recommend A Quiet Life to all readers. I would like to thank Net Galley, Schriber, and Ethan Joella for an ARC of this book. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
