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Quiet Time
"Think ‘The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man’ reimagined by Kathy Acker." - The Toronto Star
Growing up in an isolated island town with her siblings and absentee artist parents, Grace has an insatiable need for attention. She looks for it first in her playmates, taking innocent games too far, and then in men, delighting in the power her body has over them, and even while she pursues solace in writing, a predatory teacher’s fixation taints the one thing she loves. When she meets Jack, a young painter, she becomes muse and lover at once, and it seems she’s finally found the attention she’s been seeking.
Fuelled by drugs, lust, and a deep desire for connection, Grace and Jack’s turbulent relationship soon turns dark, obsessive, and dangerous. While Jack’s star ascends, Grace finds herself disappearing — becoming transparent like the many ghosts that appear to her. Between blackouts and binges, hallucinations and psychotic breaks, Grace begins to wonder whether anyone sees her at all.
An unflinching, unchronological coming-of-age story told through vivid and mesmerizing vignettes, Quiet Time is Grace’s story of resilience, bravery, and redemption, as she fights for her voice in a world attempting to silence it. Imbued with folklore, legend, and the supernatural, Harvey’s “uncannily transparent” prose (Lisa Moore) and “refreshingly urgent” voice (Joel Thomas Hynes) explores themes of growth, forgiveness, and the pains we must endure to become whole.
Growing up in an isolated island town with her siblings and absentee artist parents, Grace has an insatiable need for attention. She looks for it first in her playmates, taking innocent games too far, and then in men, delighting in the power her body has over them, and even while she pursues solace in writing, a predatory teacher’s fixation taints the one thing she loves. When she meets Jack, a young painter, she becomes muse and lover at once, and it seems she’s finally found the attention she’s been seeking.
Fuelled by drugs, lust, and a deep desire for connection, Grace and Jack’s turbulent relationship soon turns dark, obsessive, and dangerous. While Jack’s star ascends, Grace finds herself disappearing — becoming transparent like the many ghosts that appear to her. Between blackouts and binges, hallucinations and psychotic breaks, Grace begins to wonder whether anyone sees her at all.
An unflinching, unchronological coming-of-age story told through vivid and mesmerizing vignettes, Quiet Time is Grace’s story of resilience, bravery, and redemption, as she fights for her voice in a world attempting to silence it. Imbued with folklore, legend, and the supernatural, Harvey’s “uncannily transparent” prose (Lisa Moore) and “refreshingly urgent” voice (Joel Thomas Hynes) explores themes of growth, forgiveness, and the pains we must endure to become whole.
256 pages, Paperback
Published September 6, 2022
3 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Alexandra Harvey
2 books14 followersKatherine Alexandra Harvey is the author of the novel, Quiet Time, and the poetry chapbook, Let Me Evaporate. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Walrus, The Malahat Review, CV2, Queen’s Quarterly, Room, The Fiddlehead, Grain, EXILE, Quill & Quire, and Riddle Fence, among other publications. She was born in Newfoundland, Canada, where she obtained her B.A. and M.A. in Folklore from Memorial University. Her second novel, Green Eye Blue, will be released in Autumn 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 2, 2022
In Quiet Time, Grace is growing up in rural, coastal Newfoundland with two siblings and a pair of self-absorbed, artist parents. Grace’s father is a writer who warns the children not to bother him when he’s working, and for good measure has placed a creepy mask on his office door. Grace’s mother, a painter and sculptor, often goes missing, abandoning the family and staying absent for days or weeks at a time. Grace, preternaturally observant, is also a creative spirit who wants to be a writer, though she gets little encouragement at home and, after confiding in her English teacher and seeking his praise and approval, finds herself in a sexually abusive relationship. Katherine Alexandra Harvey’s debut novel chronicles Grace’s descent into addiction and mental distress, and her eventual recovery. At the age of seventeen, she meets Jack, a painter and friend of her mother. Jack also sells weed and consumes a variety of addictive substances, to which he introduces Grace. Grace, craving attention, falls in love with Jack, and over the course of their volatile, years-long relationship, becomes addicted to opiates and booze. Their lust- and drug-fueled partnership reaches its climax when Grace delivers a stillborn son. And it’s not long before Grace has attained new depths of despondency, resumes cutting herself and survives a suicide attempt. By this time Jack, whose painting career is flourishing, has left Grace for another woman. Harvey’s novel is unsparing and uncompromising and the story it tells is bleak. But Grace, alone with her grief and hitting bottom, somehow summons the strength to seek treatment and get herself admitted to hospital, pulling herself back from the brink just in time. Quiet Time, Harvey’s debut novel--difficult, disturbing, sometimes deeply unpleasant but always psychologically convincing--is also a strangely uplifting and triumphant work of gritty realism. With this novel, Katherine Alexandra Harvey announces herself as a fearless talent worth watching.
July 3, 2024
Think of ‘The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man’ mixed with a dash of Kathy Acker’s rebellious spirit, and you’ve got ‘Quiet Time’ by Katherine Alexander Harvey. This book is not your average coming-of-age tale—it’s a wild, unfiltered journey into the psyche of Grace, a girl growing up on an isolated island with her often-absent artist parents.
From the start, Grace’s need for attention is palpable. Whether she's pushing childhood games to their limits or using her physical allure to captivate men, she’s always seeking something more. Even her solace in writing is tainted by a predatory teacher, complicating her search for meaning and validation. Enter Jack, a young painter who seems to be the answer to her prayers. Their relationship, however, spirals into a chaotic mix of drugs, lust, and obsession. As Jack’s artistic career soars, Grace finds herself fading, almost ghost-like, questioning her own existence amidst blackouts and hallucinations.
Harvey’s writing is a blend of vivid, sometimes haunting vignettes that make you feel like you’re right there with Grace, experiencing every high and low. The story doesn’t unfold in a linear fashion, which might throw you off at first, but it adds to the book’s raw and real feel. It’s like you’re sifting through Grace’s memories, piecing together her journey of resilience and redemption.
One thing that really stood out to me was the prose—it’s unfiltered, almost like free verse at times, making the narrative feel incredibly personal. It’s as if you’re reading someone’s innermost thoughts and feelings without any censorship. The paranormal elements, combined with the gritty reality of Grace’s life, create a unique, almost otherworldly atmosphere.
By the time you finish the book and go back to read the letters again, you’ll see them in a whole new light. They hit different once you’ve walked through Grace’s story. It’s a testament to Harvey’s talent that she can evoke such strong emotions and create such a powerful, authentic story. ‘Quiet Time’ is a raw, powerful read that doesn’t shy away from the dark and messy parts of life but ultimately offers a glimmer of hope and redemption.
So, if you’re up for a read that’s anything but ordinary, give ‘Quiet Time’ a try. It’s a book that’ll stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
From the start, Grace’s need for attention is palpable. Whether she's pushing childhood games to their limits or using her physical allure to captivate men, she’s always seeking something more. Even her solace in writing is tainted by a predatory teacher, complicating her search for meaning and validation. Enter Jack, a young painter who seems to be the answer to her prayers. Their relationship, however, spirals into a chaotic mix of drugs, lust, and obsession. As Jack’s artistic career soars, Grace finds herself fading, almost ghost-like, questioning her own existence amidst blackouts and hallucinations.
Harvey’s writing is a blend of vivid, sometimes haunting vignettes that make you feel like you’re right there with Grace, experiencing every high and low. The story doesn’t unfold in a linear fashion, which might throw you off at first, but it adds to the book’s raw and real feel. It’s like you’re sifting through Grace’s memories, piecing together her journey of resilience and redemption.
One thing that really stood out to me was the prose—it’s unfiltered, almost like free verse at times, making the narrative feel incredibly personal. It’s as if you’re reading someone’s innermost thoughts and feelings without any censorship. The paranormal elements, combined with the gritty reality of Grace’s life, create a unique, almost otherworldly atmosphere.
By the time you finish the book and go back to read the letters again, you’ll see them in a whole new light. They hit different once you’ve walked through Grace’s story. It’s a testament to Harvey’s talent that she can evoke such strong emotions and create such a powerful, authentic story. ‘Quiet Time’ is a raw, powerful read that doesn’t shy away from the dark and messy parts of life but ultimately offers a glimmer of hope and redemption.
So, if you’re up for a read that’s anything but ordinary, give ‘Quiet Time’ a try. It’s a book that’ll stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
November 2, 2022
3.5 rounded up.
In this novel, we met Grace, a troubled and sensitive young woman, and are told her story through different timelines and circumstances. We alter between her tremulous childhood with her distant, artistic parents and her relationship as a young person with the equally tremulous Jack. Grace also sees ghosts and is too sensitive to all that is around her. The novel has a touch of mythical and fantastical elements, and you are left wondering if you can trust Grace and everything that she is seeing. It is a heavy novel, filled with a traumatic childhood that leads itself to a traumatic young adult hood. Grace struggles with addiction, mental illness, and self-esteem issues. She has been fighting her whole life to be seen and the be noticed and also to protect her siblings. But you will find yourself cheering for Grace and hoping that she can make it out of her dark hole and find the light. It is a story of redemption, of fighting through the pain and being able to stand on your own two feet.
In this novel, we met Grace, a troubled and sensitive young woman, and are told her story through different timelines and circumstances. We alter between her tremulous childhood with her distant, artistic parents and her relationship as a young person with the equally tremulous Jack. Grace also sees ghosts and is too sensitive to all that is around her. The novel has a touch of mythical and fantastical elements, and you are left wondering if you can trust Grace and everything that she is seeing. It is a heavy novel, filled with a traumatic childhood that leads itself to a traumatic young adult hood. Grace struggles with addiction, mental illness, and self-esteem issues. She has been fighting her whole life to be seen and the be noticed and also to protect her siblings. But you will find yourself cheering for Grace and hoping that she can make it out of her dark hole and find the light. It is a story of redemption, of fighting through the pain and being able to stand on your own two feet.
February 1, 2023
I didn't really know what to expect going in, but this book was incredible. Grace was so multi-faceted, so human, so imperfect. The entire book was captivating, and incredibly poetic in how it was written. I loved the short chapters, the humane characters, and the unchronological order that wasn't confusing. Grace really went through it, and I was there with her the entire journey. I'm proud of her for where she ended up.
October 8, 2022
A heavy, but wonderful read, full of every emotion possible.
Grace's struggle to survive the world and herself, battling her demons had me hooked, wanting to see her win.
Written beautifully, I found myself unable to put this book down. The short chapters made it easy to set down for a moment and reflect and digest.
My only issue with this book, and the reason for 4 stars instead of 5, was the misleading coverart. I was immediately drawn to it because I thought it was historical fiction or at least a dual timeline.
Grace's struggle to survive the world and herself, battling her demons had me hooked, wanting to see her win.
Written beautifully, I found myself unable to put this book down. The short chapters made it easy to set down for a moment and reflect and digest.
My only issue with this book, and the reason for 4 stars instead of 5, was the misleading coverart. I was immediately drawn to it because I thought it was historical fiction or at least a dual timeline.
December 26, 2022
This is the book that showed me what a real "book hangover" feels like. I cried for weeks I'm still not over it. It was beautifully written in perfect sequence and I felt emotionally attached to Grace's and Jack's relationship. I felt so personally connected to Grace, and her relationship with Jack felt so personal to me and farmiliar.
Best, most heart-wrenching book I've ever read. It's so addicting and will leave a lasting impact on you.
Best, most heart-wrenching book I've ever read. It's so addicting and will leave a lasting impact on you.
October 15, 2023
Katherine Alexandra Harvey’s debut novel Quiet Time tells the (non-linear) story of Grace, the wild middle child of artist parents who (mostly) neglect and (sometimes) coddle their children.
My parents bought our house when my mother was pregnant. She was beautiful in a way that caused men to fall in love at first sight. Suiters would write poems about her, moaning Jayde, Jayde, Jayde, swearing they would die if she didn’t return their affection. She was often silent, lost in a daydream, didn’t return their affections.
Grace meets Jack when she is seventeen at a party hosted by her mother “for one of her new, young friends.”
He was tall, just over six feet, with dark curls piled on top of his head. He had sharp, high cheekbones that protruded just below his eye sockets. His lips were uneven, the bottom much fuller than the top.
Soon enough, Grace is hanging out with Jack, ostensibly to buy the weed that he sells. Jack is a few years older and a painter; Grace wants to be a writer. Their dynamic is not so dissimilar from her parents and it doesn’t take too long before it’s equally as dysfunctional.
I think if I had read this novel in my twenties I would have enjoyed it a lot more. There wasn’t anything wrong with it, but I just found the characters frustrating. Well, to be honest, young and stupid. Even the supposed adults, like Grace’s parents. The elliptical nature of the narrative made it virtually impossible to really settle into Grace’s story which is told in vignettes. Perhaps that’s the point. Being a young adult isn’t pretty, I know, but it was hard, as a person in my 60s to really relate to any of these characters or their decisions.
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My parents bought our house when my mother was pregnant. She was beautiful in a way that caused men to fall in love at first sight. Suiters would write poems about her, moaning Jayde, Jayde, Jayde, swearing they would die if she didn’t return their affection. She was often silent, lost in a daydream, didn’t return their affections.
Grace meets Jack when she is seventeen at a party hosted by her mother “for one of her new, young friends.”
He was tall, just over six feet, with dark curls piled on top of his head. He had sharp, high cheekbones that protruded just below his eye sockets. His lips were uneven, the bottom much fuller than the top.
Soon enough, Grace is hanging out with Jack, ostensibly to buy the weed that he sells. Jack is a few years older and a painter; Grace wants to be a writer. Their dynamic is not so dissimilar from her parents and it doesn’t take too long before it’s equally as dysfunctional.
I think if I had read this novel in my twenties I would have enjoyed it a lot more. There wasn’t anything wrong with it, but I just found the characters frustrating. Well, to be honest, young and stupid. Even the supposed adults, like Grace’s parents. The elliptical nature of the narrative made it virtually impossible to really settle into Grace’s story which is told in vignettes. Perhaps that’s the point. Being a young adult isn’t pretty, I know, but it was hard, as a person in my 60s to really relate to any of these characters or their decisions.
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March 31, 2023
I was recommended this book by a friend, and I went into it not knowing what to expect. It is written sort of like a flowing novel, without traditional numbered chapters. This made the novel very easy to get lost in, and feel almost like reading a journal.
The story of Grace is captivating. The flick back and forth between childhood and young adulthood helped the reader understanding Grace at a deeper level without giving away too much too fast.
The way the author has written Grace navigating her life is poetic enough to easily digest despite the darkness of it. There are parts in her childhood that felt nostalgic. Parts in her relationship with Jack that felt so real.
Reading this book felt intensely personal and written in such a way that it feels somehow familiar. Grace is a beautiful but damaged soul with very deep, very private traumas. Her path towards healing is just beginning.
The story of Grace is captivating. The flick back and forth between childhood and young adulthood helped the reader understanding Grace at a deeper level without giving away too much too fast.
The way the author has written Grace navigating her life is poetic enough to easily digest despite the darkness of it. There are parts in her childhood that felt nostalgic. Parts in her relationship with Jack that felt so real.
Reading this book felt intensely personal and written in such a way that it feels somehow familiar. Grace is a beautiful but damaged soul with very deep, very private traumas. Her path towards healing is just beginning.
March 29, 2024
I found this book in a little local street library. The cover and description were intriguing to me, so I ended up taking it home with me. It took me a few months to pick it up, but am I ever glad I did.
This is the first vignette style story I have ever read, and I really enjoyed it. The short chapters made this an easy read, and I flew through this book. This book was not confusing in the slightest, despite the chapters being in non-chronological order.
There's romance, sorrow, grief... every emotion you could think of.
I was invested in Grace and Jack's relationship. I smiled and laughed, and I shed some tears and held them back. This book is beautifully written, deep, personal, and intriguing. I am so sad it's over, but blessed to have found this book.
Highly would recommend Quiet Time to anyone who is looking for a simple but heart wrenching novel.
This is the first vignette style story I have ever read, and I really enjoyed it. The short chapters made this an easy read, and I flew through this book. This book was not confusing in the slightest, despite the chapters being in non-chronological order.
There's romance, sorrow, grief... every emotion you could think of.
I was invested in Grace and Jack's relationship. I smiled and laughed, and I shed some tears and held them back. This book is beautifully written, deep, personal, and intriguing. I am so sad it's over, but blessed to have found this book.
Highly would recommend Quiet Time to anyone who is looking for a simple but heart wrenching novel.
August 2, 2024
“People were emerging from hibernation to face the grey and foggy months they knew were ahead; all of us on the island were accustomed to this pattern. The earth was coming alive, smelling of dampness and rebirth, and it filled me with a sense of hope. It reminded me of a beautiful bruise oxidizing: green, yellow, blue, and then purple.”
A lovely rollercoaster that makes me homesick. I can relate to Harvey on so many levels.
A lovely rollercoaster that makes me homesick. I can relate to Harvey on so many levels.
November 5, 2022
Brilliant debut novel!
Looking forward to more from Katherine Harvey.
#canlit
Looking forward to more from Katherine Harvey.
#canlit
January 2, 2023
Captivating from the very beginning, I related to the girl in this story quite a bit when it came to her mental issues. 5/5 loved the story
June 17, 2024
I feel like this was a really good book, but that it was also dark for me to read, maybe because it was so relatable for me in a lot of ways.
June 26, 2024
Weird, but it captured my attention thoroughly.
December 16, 2024
Beautiful, relatable, haunting; a stunning debut.
September 8, 2025
Enjoyed the writing and enjoyed how the story was told in vignettes
May 3, 2025
A few trigger warnings for this book, but I fell in love with the main character. Love and loss to its fullest degree. Beautiful story
October 7, 2024
This is the second time I’ve read Quiet Time. This time around I took my time reading it instead of rushing through as I had done previously. The short chapters often made it easy for me to want to skip past paragraphs quickly as well as the heavy nature of the words. I’m glad I read it again because I enjoyed it much more the second time.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews