Genre Fiction
![Susanna Daniel - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B001K8TX9A.jpg)
![Emiko Jean - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B00SO3CXP0.jpg)
Stiltsville: A Novel
"A wise and loving portrait of a marriage. . . . Susanna Daniel writes beautifully of matters of the heart." - Jennifer Haigh, author of The Condition
Against a vivid South Florida background, Susanna Daniel's Stiltsville offers a gripping, bittersweet portrait of a marriage-and a romance-that deepens over the course of three decades.
One sunny morning in 1969, 26 year old Frances Ellerby finds herself in a place called Stiltsville, a community of houses built on pilings in the middle of Biscayne Bay. It's the first time the Atlanta native has been out on the open water, and she's captivated. On the dock of a stilt house, with the dazzling skyline in the distance and the unknowable ocean beneath her, she meets the house's owner, Dennis DuVal-and a new future reveals itself.
Called "an elegantly crafted work of art and a great read" by Curtis Sittenfeld (American Wife, Prep), Stiltsville is a stunningly assured debut novel sure to appeal to readers of Anita Shreve, Sue Miller, and Annie Dillard, or anyone enchanted by the sultry magic of Miami.
Against a vivid South Florida background, Susanna Daniel's Stiltsville offers a gripping, bittersweet portrait of a marriage-and a romance-that deepens over the course of three decades.
One sunny morning in 1969, 26 year old Frances Ellerby finds herself in a place called Stiltsville, a community of houses built on pilings in the middle of Biscayne Bay. It's the first time the Atlanta native has been out on the open water, and she's captivated. On the dock of a stilt house, with the dazzling skyline in the distance and the unknowable ocean beneath her, she meets the house's owner, Dennis DuVal-and a new future reveals itself.
Called "an elegantly crafted work of art and a great read" by Curtis Sittenfeld (American Wife, Prep), Stiltsville is a stunningly assured debut novel sure to appeal to readers of Anita Shreve, Sue Miller, and Annie Dillard, or anyone enchanted by the sultry magic of Miami.
Editorial Reviews
"I fell in love with Susanna Daniel's characters, Dennis and Frances. The dialogue, the pacing, and the tenderness between this married couple is so authentic and true. But it's the setting of Florida, and especially the place that is Stiltsville, that literally elevates this story to magic." - Hannah Tinti, author of The Good Thief
"This soulful novel will inspire you to reflect on your own definitions of house, home, and what really makes a couple close." - Redbook
"Both structurally and in tone, the book recalls linked short-story collections such as Alice Munro's The Beggar Maid, following one character chronologically through a long period. Each piece can stand alone, but the whole is enriched when they are read together. . . . Lovely." - Laura C.J. Owen, Minneapolis Star Tribune
"A quietly remarkable novel. . . . Reminiscent of Marilynn Robinson's Home." - Scott Eyman, Palm Beach Post
"With its lush flora and constant sun, South Florida is the true star of Daniel's exquisite debut, which follows a marriage over the course of 30 years. . . . Beautifully told from Frances's pensive, sharp perspective. . . . Drawing inexorably toward a moving resolution." - Publishers Weekly
"A deeply engrossing tale of love, family, friendship, and motherhood, Stiltsville is both an elegantly crafted work of art and a great read. The love story effortlessly spans decades, and the characters are as real and vivid as the novel's South Florida backdrop. Susanna Daniel is an extraordinary writer." - Curtis Sittenfeld, author of Prep and American Wife
"Set against the wild and changeable landscape of South Florida, Stiltsville is a wise and loving portrait of a marriage, written with keen insight into the ways two lives grow together over the years. This is a rare first novel. Susanna Daniel writes beautifully of matters of the heart." - Jennifer Haigh, author of The Condition, Baker Towers, and Mrs. Kimble<...
"This soulful novel will inspire you to reflect on your own definitions of house, home, and what really makes a couple close." - Redbook
"Both structurally and in tone, the book recalls linked short-story collections such as Alice Munro's The Beggar Maid, following one character chronologically through a long period. Each piece can stand alone, but the whole is enriched when they are read together. . . . Lovely." - Laura C.J. Owen, Minneapolis Star Tribune
"A quietly remarkable novel. . . . Reminiscent of Marilynn Robinson's Home." - Scott Eyman, Palm Beach Post
"With its lush flora and constant sun, South Florida is the true star of Daniel's exquisite debut, which follows a marriage over the course of 30 years. . . . Beautifully told from Frances's pensive, sharp perspective. . . . Drawing inexorably toward a moving resolution." - Publishers Weekly
"A deeply engrossing tale of love, family, friendship, and motherhood, Stiltsville is both an elegantly crafted work of art and a great read. The love story effortlessly spans decades, and the characters are as real and vivid as the novel's South Florida backdrop. Susanna Daniel is an extraordinary writer." - Curtis Sittenfeld, author of Prep and American Wife
"Set against the wild and changeable landscape of South Florida, Stiltsville is a wise and loving portrait of a marriage, written with keen insight into the ways two lives grow together over the years. This is a rare first novel. Susanna Daniel writes beautifully of matters of the heart." - Jennifer Haigh, author of The Condition, Baker Towers, and Mrs. Kimble<...
Readers Top Reviews
theresa e.AshleyM
This was such a beautiful story about motherhood, adoption and unconditional love. As an adoptive mother the author captured so many emotions that came through in the letters Caroline wrote to Mika about Penny. And was able to eloquently reflect Mika's bravery,pain and unconditional love she had for Penny while struggling with her own complicated relationship with her mom. Emiko Jean was able to tell this story with compassion for both the adoptive and biological mothers in their love for their daughter. Oh, and the friendship and blossoming love between Thomas and Mika was perfect, I wish there was a sequel...
Kindle theresa e
I enjoyed this book even though it was a little predictable a la rom com. There are some unanswered questions but such is life.
ashuenKindle the
Mika is a 35 year old at a low point in life when she receives a phone call from her biological daughter, Penny, she gave up reluctantly for adoption 16 years ago. Penny's lost her adoptive mother recently and is hoping to get to know Mika and figure out who she is and what her Japanese heritage means. Mika jumps at the chance but distorts some truths about herself in order to impress Penny. Suddenly Penny and her widowed father are visiting and Mika is scrambling to build the life she claimed to have. This book gave me a lot of feelings. I ended up really enjoying it. Mika is a flawed character. But she has enough baggage that her flaws are understandable. The exploration of her relationships were so well done. This book delved into topics of motherhood, sacrifices for loved ones, found family, searching for an identity and so much more. While it was a departure from the author's previous YA novels, her roots in that genre did show and made this a lighter read than it could have been given the topics.
Danielle ashuenKi
Lovely message about finding love and worth from yourself before you can find it from others. The author did a fantastic job conveying the main character's feelings and thoughts to the reader. I was truly caught up in the story and enjoyed every page!
Henriette EDaniel
Great story - well-written and would love to read another book by the author!
