Let the Wild Grasses Grow

by Kase Johnstun

Let the Wild Grasses Grow chronicles the lives of Della Chavez and John Cordova, childhood friends separated by a tragic accident, who find each other again during World War II after leading lives of struggle through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and, for John, abuse at the hands of his grandfather. This sweeping American love story celebrates the power of home landscapes, family heritage, and first love.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

317 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2021

Reviews

[Leah Angstman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the opportunity to read and blurb an early ARC of this book. Here's my blurb: “Part autobiographical novel and part reimagined memoir, Johnstun turns his family history into a universal survival story that follows childhood friends into adulthood as they drift apart through the Great Depression, then reunite through World War II. Steeped in heart-wrenching historical detail, Johnstun’s Colorado landscape evokes a sense of place and home so richly that you can feel that scorching sun, see those waving fields, taste that Dustbowl dirt. A timeless and diverse Western Americana love story that will make you yearn for sunsets, hot chiles, tall grasses, and home.”

[Kenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I’ll admit I was hesitant at first—it took me a little while to settle into the story—but once it clicked, I couldn’t put it down. I’m always a bit cautious with historical fiction written through a modern lens; 21st‑century morals can sometimes blur the nuance of the past. This novel does fall into a few of those hindsight‑driven pitfalls, but even so, it remains a gripping read.

What stood out most was its perspective. It offers a fresh, compelling look at cultural and historical events that rarely get explored in typical war‑era fiction. That alone makes it worth picking up. Despite a few moments where the modern viewpoint shows through, the story is engaging, emotionally resonant, and ultimately rewarding.

A worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a different angle.

[Heather Mateus Sappenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let the Wild Grasses Grow, a tribute to his grandparents, is Kase Johnstun’s beautiful, gripping saga about the resilience of the land, of love, and of the human spirit. Highly recommend!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book a few weeks ago when we were staying in the tiny town of Mancos, Colorado while on a road trip with my dad. The local cidery was hosting an author reading and as I stepped out the door of our AirBnB, I could hear Kase reading over a speaker. We went across the river to check it out and got to meet the author, enjoy delicious cider, and bring home a great book.

I wasn’t sure what to expect but soon into the story, I found myself fully engaged and struggling to put it down. The narrative is told through the eyes of the two main characters and follows them from their childhoods in southern Colorado thru their adult life in various places around the country. Each of the characters was so well-developed you could almost see their faces and hear their voices as you read.

I’ve been reading a lot about racism, land abuse, and regenerative agriculture and it was fascinating to see how these issues were so influential in our state’s history almost a hundred years ago, as well.

Great read!

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a nice sweet read

[Angela A. Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never know what it means to be alive during the dust bowl era, but this book gives me an idea of the hardship that families went through trying to survive being farmers. I also loved the main characters John and Della. I rooted for them throughout the whole book, I felt love, pain, sorrow, grief and redemption at times. That makes for a good book and great read! I highly recommend this one.

Let the Wild Grasses Grow chronicles the lives of Della Chavez and John Cordova, childhood friends separated by a tragic accident, who find each other again during World War II after leading separate lives of struggle through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and, for John, abuse at the hands of his grandfather. This sweeping American love story celebrates the power of home landscapes, family heritage, and first love.

[Felicia Mendygral · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page turner!

Do you ever mourn when you get done reading a good book? Sad it is over? That is how I feel after reading "Let the Wild Grasses Grow" by Kase Johnstun.

What a page turner! I love Kase's writing because it put me there and I could see the scenes unfold. Kase has a unique writing style that caught me a couple of times that I really enjoyed. He would make a statement and then follow it up with the scene. I was like, "Did I miss something?" But then the details would be revealed. Love it!

[Britta Stumpp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a real page-turner, sucking you into a vivid vision of the Colorado past with characters who leap off the page. I especially loved all the rich cultural details and the narrative of generations, heart-break, trials, courage and devotion that lasts a life time. I was especially drawn in to ranch life in Trinidad, the father who loves his chilies more than anything else in the world, and life during WWII both on a submarine and in the secret world of code-breakers. Told in the first person narrative from the two protagonists, "Let the Wild Grasses Grow," feels authentic and rich in a beautiful family history and love story I won't soon forget.

[Jan Bottiglieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been meaning to review this book for a while... but I think waiting to actually sit down and review it is allowing me to give the best review (in my opinion) that a book can get, which is that these characters absolutely have stayed with me. The story told is heartwarming and authentic, and I really enjoyed the little details of place and time that helped the book seem so "real"... but honestly, my favorite aspect of the book is that the characters are so rich and relatable that I have sometimes found remembering them the way you'd think of old friends or family that you haven't seen in a while. This book will stay with you in the best way.

[Elana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read Excellent Author!
Mr. Johnstun knows how to pull you in and keep you.
This books brings back memories of my childhood. Some of the Best days of my life. Kase has a wonderful gift no one else has in this whole world of describing what it was like to be in the presence of our Truly extraordinary Grandparents. Thanks for bringing them back into our hearts and minds and sharing them with the world.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a few classes from Kane Johnstun at Lighthouse in Denver at Lit Fest this year and picked up this book at the event. I LOVED this read. Kane has a really unique voice. The story was gripping and based on his actual grandparent’s love story. I also learned a great deal about different historical events from reading this book. The story follows the characters from childhood to adulthood and I really enjoyed watching the character growth of both protagonists. 10/10

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a good homestead book. This was an interesting perspective on the Dust Bowl in Colorado. I have also never read a WWII novel focused on a submariner. I did enjoy the story but there were many inconsistencies or dropped storylines. My biggest complaint about this book was the numerous typos and editing errors. I also struggled with the characters voice and opinions being inconsistent.

[Leah Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book Let The Wild Grasses Grow was a compelling and fascinating story. It is sharp, funny and witty with interesting characters. It is a good length, well written and well researched. This story will not disappoint and hard to put down. It will be a fun story to share with friends.

Leah Stone

[Halley Knigge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book by my dear friend Kase. I started out thinking it would be one thing and halfway through, I realized the book was something else entirely. Once I got to know the people, I couldn’t put it down.

[Sydnee Earnshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a new favorite of mine. It deserves so much more attention!! I felt deeply connected to the characters, aching for their pain and smiling in their joy. A must read for any hist-fic lover.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about young love in a time of uncertainty, and struggles. John and Della knew what they had was special and they wouldn’t let anything come between their hard fought love and friendship. Beautifully written and very engaging!

[Brittany Thompson Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story that I couldn’t wait to finish but at the same time, didn’t want to end. Such a great read!!

[Sean Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and exciting story and a celebration of family. Great read. Do it!

[Sonya Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book telling about the lives of two people. Their hopes, dreams and tragedies and how it influences who they are.

[Tallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hard time putting the book down. It immersed me in a different time and place. The writing made me feel like I experienced, first hand, the world the characters lived in.

Beautifully done!

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story in Colorado & Nevada with its descriptions of natural settings and loving relationships as well as uncomfortable but real racism and violence. Then the coincidences of the war story got unreal in the code room & at sea, and I can’t appreciate the cheering after killing other people. It may be true that sailors were there to kill and just wanted booze and fucking when they hit shore, but these idea were presented too casually as routine. Author tried to respect/support women but for me this didn’t always ring true.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not typical WWII story, thank goodness!

[Marc Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sucked me in from the beginning. Must have been the chiles. A beautiful story full of love and pain, laughter and tears. Kase has a wonderful imagination and is bursting with feeling. A man with a gigantic heart put it into this book. A must read.