The Solace of Leaving Early

Using small-town life as a springboard to explore the loftiest of ideas, Haven Kimmel's irresistibly smart and generous first novel is at once a romance and a haunting meditation on grief and faith. Langston Braverman returns to Haddington, Indiana (pop. 3,062) after walking out on an academic career that has equipped her for little but lording it over other people. Amos Townsend is trying to minister to a congregation that would prefer simple affirmations to his esoteric brand of theology.

What draws these difficult--if not impossible--people together are two wounded little girls who call themselves Immaculata and Epiphany. They are the daughters of Langston's childhood friend and the witnesses to her murder. And their need for love is so urgent that neither Langston nor Amos can resist it, though they do their best to resist each other. Deftly walking the tightrope between tragedy and comedy, The Solace of Leaving Early is a joyous story about finding one's better self through accepting the shortcomings of others.

Author: Haven Kimmel
Publisher: Anchor Books
Published: 05/13/2003
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.49lbs
Size: 8.06h x 5.24w x 0.65d
ISBN: 9781400033348

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.8
Point Value: 14
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 69031 / Solace of Leaving Early


Review Citation(s):
Kliatt 11/01/2003 pg. 16

About the Author
Haven Kimmel is the author of the memoir A Girl Named Zippy. She studied English and creative writing at Ball State University and North Carolina State University. She also attended seminary at the Earlham School of Religion. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.