Waking in a Wide Land

by Nancy H. Rosenberg

At 19, Truman Miller is married to the meanest girl in town. Truman falls for the wide-eyed, copper-coiffed charms of Velma Vickus, his best friend’s sister, before he understands that life with the perpetually dissatisfied Velma will be filled with frustration and heartache. A lively assortment of friends, family, and neighbors who populate the dwindling town of Whitney, Texas, watch helplessly as Truman is subjected to one cuckolding after another. Velma carries on with Truman’s boss, with a local banker, with anyone who offers to enliven what she sees as a hopelessly uneventful life with her boring, bookworm husband. Truman’s best friend, Kenny, is torn by his affection for Truman and loyalty to his sister, Velma. Kenny has a girlfriend, Lacey Evans, who lives with her agoraphobic mother and has few joys in life beyond TV preachers and her ill-tempered cat, Deuteronomy. Whitney is a typical small Texas it is filled with charming, crazy people. A crescendo of drama unfolds as Truman realizes the true state of his marriage, and he is faced with a does he try to make things work with Velma, or does he leave Whitney and brave the unknown world beyond its dusty borders? Waking in a Wide Land is about difficult relationships, friendship, faith, and the urge to belong. At times rollicking, at times heartbreaking, this is a story that draws you into Truman’s life and makes you want to stay.

308 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2012

Reviews

[G Baumann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Town, Tangled Lives—And I Want a Sequel

Waking in a Wide Land pulled me in right away—I finished it in just three days. The characters are vividly drawn and so believable; I felt like I was living alongside them in that small Texas town. I’m especially still thinking about Truman and quietly worrying on his behalf.

The structure surprised me at first. The opening chapter felt like the beginning of a novel, but in the next chapter the narrative shifted so much that I found myself checking the back cover to make sure I hadn’t misunderstood the genre. Eventually, the threads come back together—some more tightly than others—and it left me satisfied and curious for more.

It feels like the author is setting up for a sequel, and I’d read it in a heartbeat.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book had more religion in it than I care to read, it wasn't out of place or forced, and it wasn't preachy. It was just part of the life of this small town. There were a few errors, but not enough to detract from the overall quality of the story. It was well written and had a nice structure. I think some of the characters were very well developed, while others could have used a little more attention. I hope Rosenberg keeps writing. She likely has a promising career ahead of her.