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When We Lost Touch
Grace, a family therapist, returns from a cruise to find that life has been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her daughter's graduate program goes virtual, and her 11-year-old grandson on the spectrum is home 24/7 with school by Zoom. Her best friend, Katrina, contracts the virus early on but isn't recovering. On top of that, Grace is called to facilitate a COVID grief group, whose members express rage and sadness at the senseless deaths of people they love.
Meanwhile, Molly and Mike forge a long-distance friendship over Zoom. A young couple, Zed and Cherry, finds validation and connection in QAnon. And on another front, Theo, a respiratory therapist, questions the ethics of keeping oxygen-starved patients alive.
When We Lost Touch is contemporary historical fiction set during the first 18 months of a deadly pandemic. Ordinary people lose touch with friends, family, reality, and truth as they're caught in a war zone where most of the casualties are taken down by friendly fire. Kraus expertly weaves stories that portray life during a pandemic, providing a gripping, nuanced look at political, social, and medical challenges.
Meanwhile, Molly and Mike forge a long-distance friendship over Zoom. A young couple, Zed and Cherry, finds validation and connection in QAnon. And on another front, Theo, a respiratory therapist, questions the ethics of keeping oxygen-starved patients alive.
When We Lost Touch is contemporary historical fiction set during the first 18 months of a deadly pandemic. Ordinary people lose touch with friends, family, reality, and truth as they're caught in a war zone where most of the casualties are taken down by friendly fire. Kraus expertly weaves stories that portray life during a pandemic, providing a gripping, nuanced look at political, social, and medical challenges.
410 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2022
32 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Susan Kraus
8 books8 followersI love writing, I love telling stories -- other people's stories and also the stories that I imagine. I believe that everyone has important stories even if they're never expressed, but remain secret, locked deep in our bones and heart.
I love creating characters so real that my readers want to have coffee with them.
Writing for me is a long-postponed 'dream.' After decades of life as a social worker. therapist, mediator, mom, spouse, volunteer, cook, housecleaner and taxi driver) I'm finally DOING it. And because I'm making up for lost time, my writing is kinda compulsive.
At times I think about what my life would have been if I'd 'demanded' the time to write. But I had kids to support, a family that required my focus. To say "I want to be a writer" was too risky, too selfish. And it's also hard to know because those 40 years as a therapist, then mediator, were years I listened to other people's stories, helped them rewrite their past, choose a different narrative, even create a happier ending. Maybe I would have written more, but would it have been shallow? Less complex? Less 'real'?
I write what I know. Just like Grisham and Turow write about law, my main protagonist is a therapist and custody mediator. She is flawed. She is challenged. She is intuitive, smart, but also insecure. She does not have good 'boundaries' --but she cares greatly. Even dares greatly.
All of my characters are somehow flawed as well, because we, as humans, screw up sometimes. And only narcissists do not regret some behaviors, do not care how they hurt others.
Because I'm a social worker, my novels cannot be just about a crime.. The "why" they did it is always more important than "who" did it. The characters drive the plots. Action is often internal, not a 'car chase' (although, I must say, the car chase in book #1 is pretty terrifying.) And the abduction in book #3? Each book tackles different social or relationship issues, from multiple POVs.
Because I'm an Indie writer, with a small publisher, I do not have PR. Zero advertising. Seriously, not a single ad anywhere. Sales are lousy. But EVERY review -- from Kirkus or Indie Reader or other review sites that do cover Indie authors --- has been positive. Just two weeks ago, my last novel, "When We Lost Touch," (covering the first 18 months of COVID) received 1st Place in Indie Reader's Discovery Awards 2024 for Socially Conscious Fiction. I think of that book as 'Contemporary Historical Fiction' because it is-- but no category for that.
I've been detached from Goodreads, maybe a little intimidated or anxious about putting myself 'out there.' But that's going to change. I want you to read me and so I have to come out of my basement.
Check back once in a while to keep me honest?
Thank you. Books are empty words without the readers who bring them to life. I hope you read my 'words' and that they mean something to you.
I love creating characters so real that my readers want to have coffee with them.
Writing for me is a long-postponed 'dream.' After decades of life as a social worker. therapist, mediator, mom, spouse, volunteer, cook, housecleaner and taxi driver) I'm finally DOING it. And because I'm making up for lost time, my writing is kinda compulsive.
At times I think about what my life would have been if I'd 'demanded' the time to write. But I had kids to support, a family that required my focus. To say "I want to be a writer" was too risky, too selfish. And it's also hard to know because those 40 years as a therapist, then mediator, were years I listened to other people's stories, helped them rewrite their past, choose a different narrative, even create a happier ending. Maybe I would have written more, but would it have been shallow? Less complex? Less 'real'?
I write what I know. Just like Grisham and Turow write about law, my main protagonist is a therapist and custody mediator. She is flawed. She is challenged. She is intuitive, smart, but also insecure. She does not have good 'boundaries' --but she cares greatly. Even dares greatly.
All of my characters are somehow flawed as well, because we, as humans, screw up sometimes. And only narcissists do not regret some behaviors, do not care how they hurt others.
Because I'm a social worker, my novels cannot be just about a crime.. The "why" they did it is always more important than "who" did it. The characters drive the plots. Action is often internal, not a 'car chase' (although, I must say, the car chase in book #1 is pretty terrifying.) And the abduction in book #3? Each book tackles different social or relationship issues, from multiple POVs.
Because I'm an Indie writer, with a small publisher, I do not have PR. Zero advertising. Seriously, not a single ad anywhere. Sales are lousy. But EVERY review -- from Kirkus or Indie Reader or other review sites that do cover Indie authors --- has been positive. Just two weeks ago, my last novel, "When We Lost Touch," (covering the first 18 months of COVID) received 1st Place in Indie Reader's Discovery Awards 2024 for Socially Conscious Fiction. I think of that book as 'Contemporary Historical Fiction' because it is-- but no category for that.
I've been detached from Goodreads, maybe a little intimidated or anxious about putting myself 'out there.' But that's going to change. I want you to read me and so I have to come out of my basement.
Check back once in a while to keep me honest?
Thank you. Books are empty words without the readers who bring them to life. I hope you read my 'words' and that they mean something to you.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 7, 2022
When We Lost Touch by Susan Kraus is a work of contemporary literary fiction in which the author has explored the toughest time we all had to go through during the endless months that turned into two horrendous years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this book, several stories are told from different point-of-views covering a wide range of emotions and situations that different people had to go through during the pandemic when we all were cooped up inside our houses and the only means of communication was the internet. There is a wide range of emotional aspects covered in this book and it makes it a really interesting and very relatable read.
The writing is good and it can clearly be noticed that the author has drawn upon her extensive experience of being a therapist and working in clinical surroundings. These two factors add a sense of reality to the whole book making it a tremendously relatable read.
I'd recommend this book to all readers of women's literature and to literary fiction enthusiasts.
______________________
You can also read this review at www.thereadingbud.com
In this book, several stories are told from different point-of-views covering a wide range of emotions and situations that different people had to go through during the pandemic when we all were cooped up inside our houses and the only means of communication was the internet. There is a wide range of emotional aspects covered in this book and it makes it a really interesting and very relatable read.
The writing is good and it can clearly be noticed that the author has drawn upon her extensive experience of being a therapist and working in clinical surroundings. These two factors add a sense of reality to the whole book making it a tremendously relatable read.
I'd recommend this book to all readers of women's literature and to literary fiction enthusiasts.
______________________
You can also read this review at www.thereadingbud.com
January 25, 2023
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic I looked for books on the 1918 flu epidemic and found very little, certainly nothing about day-to-day living during that time. When We Lost Touch (which the author referred to in a talk as a contemporary historical novel) addresses all of those things we did beginning in the spring of 2020 that we have forgotten about now, like not bringing in the groceries, and staying away from those people we love. It brought back to me the worry and anxiety, and then brought back the feeling of ease as the pandemic lessened. I think this book, while relevant now, will also be of great interest years from now, as a record of the difficulties of the years 2016-2021.
Ms. Kraus gives a page of historical context at the end of every section, which is unusual in a novel, but provides an anchor for events in the lives of the characters. There are many characters in the book, some of whose stories stand alone, and some whose stories weave together. The author manages this big cast skillfully, so you don't get confused about who is who at the beginning of a new section.
Ms. Kraus's work as a therapist plays a large part in her careful and empathetic writing about people with whose beliefs I disagree (e.g., QAnon followers). She did this in All God's Children, a previous novel that I would also recommend, writing about members of a disruptive evangelical church, and in both cases she helps the reader to see how people arrive at what seem like crazy beliefs, without judgment. Similarly, I appreciated how sympathetically she wrote about one character who was not sorry her husband had died.
This is a contemporary book, and as such Ms. Kraus does an excellent job of weaving together factual material (the death of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, Donald Trump) with her fictional characters and their stories.
Ms. Kraus gives a page of historical context at the end of every section, which is unusual in a novel, but provides an anchor for events in the lives of the characters. There are many characters in the book, some of whose stories stand alone, and some whose stories weave together. The author manages this big cast skillfully, so you don't get confused about who is who at the beginning of a new section.
Ms. Kraus's work as a therapist plays a large part in her careful and empathetic writing about people with whose beliefs I disagree (e.g., QAnon followers). She did this in All God's Children, a previous novel that I would also recommend, writing about members of a disruptive evangelical church, and in both cases she helps the reader to see how people arrive at what seem like crazy beliefs, without judgment. Similarly, I appreciated how sympathetically she wrote about one character who was not sorry her husband had died.
This is a contemporary book, and as such Ms. Kraus does an excellent job of weaving together factual material (the death of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, Donald Trump) with her fictional characters and their stories.
May 18, 2023
have often wished I kept a diary during COVID, but it just felt too hard. I have experienced the health care worker side, the citizen side, and eventually, the patient side, with long COVID.
Susan Kraus brings characters experiencing multiple facets of the pandemic together in this novel. It centers around a therapist who eventually works as a grief counselor for those who've lost loved ones to COVID. The stresses, problems, ethical conundrum, griefs, fears, and even joys that COVID brought into our lives are explored through various characters dealing with the pandemic. Timelines of actual events happening are interspersed throughout, creating a real sense of time passing. It brought back so many memories that I had forgotten--some that were really hard, but I'm glad I remembered them. We were all living through history-in-the-making, and we are forever changed.
The characters are wide-ranging: respiratory therapists, funeral home directors, parents, elders, essential workers, and many others. The book includes the events triggered by George Floyd's death, and a young couple who fell down the Qanon rabbit hole. As a snapshot of the pandemic, it's a great book, and well-researched. I recommend reading it, if you are ready to walk down this particular road of memory.
Susan Kraus brings characters experiencing multiple facets of the pandemic together in this novel. It centers around a therapist who eventually works as a grief counselor for those who've lost loved ones to COVID. The stresses, problems, ethical conundrum, griefs, fears, and even joys that COVID brought into our lives are explored through various characters dealing with the pandemic. Timelines of actual events happening are interspersed throughout, creating a real sense of time passing. It brought back so many memories that I had forgotten--some that were really hard, but I'm glad I remembered them. We were all living through history-in-the-making, and we are forever changed.
The characters are wide-ranging: respiratory therapists, funeral home directors, parents, elders, essential workers, and many others. The book includes the events triggered by George Floyd's death, and a young couple who fell down the Qanon rabbit hole. As a snapshot of the pandemic, it's a great book, and well-researched. I recommend reading it, if you are ready to walk down this particular road of memory.
April 24, 2023
‘When We Lost Touch’ is a contemporary fiction focused on Grace and how her life changes when she comes back from a cruise ship to face COVID-19. Her 11-year-old grandson’s mental illness, her daughter’s graduate program, her best friend getting the virus, and the list goes on.
The fictional tale deals with the aftermath of all the dramas Grace faces and represents all the relevant emotional and physical problems we faced when Covid-19 hit.
The story is written well. You understand how isolation and separation affect people and how important human connection is. I recommend this book to those who like fictional tales.
The fictional tale deals with the aftermath of all the dramas Grace faces and represents all the relevant emotional and physical problems we faced when Covid-19 hit.
The story is written well. You understand how isolation and separation affect people and how important human connection is. I recommend this book to those who like fictional tales.
January 23, 2023
This is a fabulous book. It provided insight into how COVID effected different families. I likes how the author added quotes and historical facts into the timeframe. I would highly recommend this book.
September 24, 2023
We lost touch
Very goo reading, just like all of Susan's books. I always love the discussion questions. I felt that the chronology of events was very well placed in the book. I lived through this and still found this very challenging in my grief process.
Very goo reading, just like all of Susan's books. I always love the discussion questions. I felt that the chronology of events was very well placed in the book. I lived through this and still found this very challenging in my grief process.
January 29, 2023
WOW, what a book. Learned quite a lot about issues that have never been talked about.
February 22, 2023
Thought provoking.
A very realist view of the Covid pandemic. Interesting to see how different lines of the story evolved. Thought provoking.
A very realist view of the Covid pandemic. Interesting to see how different lines of the story evolved. Thought provoking.
March 18, 2023
3.5 stars
September 16, 2024
Timepiece
Really enjoyed this book. The second one I read in the series. Captures various angles of a significant event in history from an interpersonal perspective. A timepiece.
Really enjoyed this book. The second one I read in the series. Captures various angles of a significant event in history from an interpersonal perspective. A timepiece.
April 7, 2025
Very well written and researched.
October 19, 2022
The pandemic was difficult on all of us and still weighs heavily on many people’s minds. In When We Lost Touch by Susan Kraus, the reader gets a raw and intimate look at a group of intertwined characters’ experiences at the beginning of 2020, the height of the pandemic, all the way until the end of 2021. Whether you are reading about Grace, Katrina, or Max. All the characters experience their own struggles, ultimately coming out at the end not unscathed but having survived.
While Kraus uses fictional characters to paint the narrative, her plot is anything but fictional. It’s grounded in reality, touching on the issues of the pandemic, racial matters, January 6th, and even radicalism. She does not shy away from touching upon the tough subjects that have plagued the United States in recent years and does so in a heartfelt manner.
Her greatest talent is managing to balance the multiple POVs without confusing the reader. Each of them stands out in their own way. It can seem a little jarring at first, but once you are a few pages into the book, you won’t even notice.
This story isn’t for those that don’t like a dose of reality in their stories, especially for a subject that is still raw for many people. However, When We Lost Touch discusses these issues with sensitivity. It doesn’t hold back in showcasing the character’s struggles and how desperately they want to return to normal. At times, the reader is going to feel like they have been punched in the gut. This just proves how effective Kraus is at crafting this.
I am giving When We Lost Touch by Susan Kraus a five out of five stars. It might be a tough read for some, but most will be swept away by the realism and completely be able to relate to the characters. This is a work of historical fiction, but it is grounded in the realities we all faced in this time period.
While Kraus uses fictional characters to paint the narrative, her plot is anything but fictional. It’s grounded in reality, touching on the issues of the pandemic, racial matters, January 6th, and even radicalism. She does not shy away from touching upon the tough subjects that have plagued the United States in recent years and does so in a heartfelt manner.
Her greatest talent is managing to balance the multiple POVs without confusing the reader. Each of them stands out in their own way. It can seem a little jarring at first, but once you are a few pages into the book, you won’t even notice.
This story isn’t for those that don’t like a dose of reality in their stories, especially for a subject that is still raw for many people. However, When We Lost Touch discusses these issues with sensitivity. It doesn’t hold back in showcasing the character’s struggles and how desperately they want to return to normal. At times, the reader is going to feel like they have been punched in the gut. This just proves how effective Kraus is at crafting this.
I am giving When We Lost Touch by Susan Kraus a five out of five stars. It might be a tough read for some, but most will be swept away by the realism and completely be able to relate to the characters. This is a work of historical fiction, but it is grounded in the realities we all faced in this time period.
September 30, 2022
A fantastic story told through multiple perspectives that takes readers through life in the pandemic. I loved the characters and the layers of digesting what was living through COVID19 as an adult. I wished for more with many of these characters because they feel so familiar and relatable. There were many moments that made me pause and sit with it, because it gleaned a new perspective or struck me to my core. As a fan of Susan's work, I believe this is the best she's ever written.
Overall, it's a fantastic and heartfelt novel filled with truth, understanding and empathy despite being set in a time of isolation and fear.
Readers of Susan's will not be disappointed as some of her beloved characters enter new phases and situations while introducing new characters to the scene. Anyone who loves human interest stories or fiction will enjoy this novel.
Overall, it's a fantastic and heartfelt novel filled with truth, understanding and empathy despite being set in a time of isolation and fear.
Readers of Susan's will not be disappointed as some of her beloved characters enter new phases and situations while introducing new characters to the scene. Anyone who loves human interest stories or fiction will enjoy this novel.
December 18, 2022
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
At first, I was hesitant to read this book because I didn't need a reminder of what the pandemic has been like. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised. I appreciated the inclusion of the historical context, particularly the juxtaposition of the stories with the dates/facts. Further, the prose was easy to read.
Most of all, I liked how well this book represented psychotherapy - something I rarely see in fiction. The style of dialogue during the sessions was particularly effective. And, of course, I loved that the therapist is named Molly.
I did wish the characters had more clear goals from the beginning. I also had trouble tracking all of the characters, especially given how many there are, and that many characters take over the POV.
At first, I was hesitant to read this book because I didn't need a reminder of what the pandemic has been like. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised. I appreciated the inclusion of the historical context, particularly the juxtaposition of the stories with the dates/facts. Further, the prose was easy to read.
Most of all, I liked how well this book represented psychotherapy - something I rarely see in fiction. The style of dialogue during the sessions was particularly effective. And, of course, I loved that the therapist is named Molly.
I did wish the characters had more clear goals from the beginning. I also had trouble tracking all of the characters, especially given how many there are, and that many characters take over the POV.
November 11, 2022
It’s hard to write an unbiased review for a book you worked so closely with the author to edit and polish, but I will try my best.
When We Lost Touch is what will be the first of many COVID fiction books to come in the next few years. You would think a book about a pandemic would be a downer, but it’s far from that. It has humor, sentimental scenes, and realistic romances that touched my heart. Even the QAnon characters, who I expected to hate, were so likable despite their extreme views! I love how the storylines weave together in unexpected ways. I appreciate how Susan tackles white privilege and has her main character, Grace, confront her colorblindness.
It’s such a well researched and masterfully crafted piece of fiction. I’d recommend it to everyone!
When We Lost Touch is what will be the first of many COVID fiction books to come in the next few years. You would think a book about a pandemic would be a downer, but it’s far from that. It has humor, sentimental scenes, and realistic romances that touched my heart. Even the QAnon characters, who I expected to hate, were so likable despite their extreme views! I love how the storylines weave together in unexpected ways. I appreciate how Susan tackles white privilege and has her main character, Grace, confront her colorblindness.
It’s such a well researched and masterfully crafted piece of fiction. I’d recommend it to everyone!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews