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Waking in a Wide Land
At 19, Truman Miller is married to the meanest girl in town. Truman falls for 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.
A crescendo of drama unfolds as Truman realizes the true state of his marriage, and he is faced with a choice: 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.
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.
A crescendo of drama unfolds as Truman realizes the true state of his marriage, and he is faced with a choice: 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.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2012
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 2, 2025
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.
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.
September 1, 2012
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.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews