A Small Crowd of Strangers

As a fan of Joanna Rose's groundbreaking novel, Little Miss Strange, I was eager to read the next, A Small Crowd of Strangers. Lucky readers-this novel, too, is buoyant, tender, and it's so easy to invest in her lively characters and the gorgeously described landscape. At the center of the novel is Pattianne Anthony, a quirky reference librarian who is smart and witty, but who also tends to make major life choices on a whim. One of those is to marry a charming schoolteacher, Michael Bryn, and move from her childhood home in New Jersey to St. Cloud, Minnesota. It's Pattianne's discovery of self that most captivates through these pages-her budding realization that she has let life lead her instead of her leading life. As Pattianne ventures out, we witness her profound discoveries about love, family, faith, and the abiding strength of an eclectic community, and in this way Rose's novel becomes sweetly intimate, a joy to read. -Debra Gwartney, author of I Am a Stranger Here Myself Joanna Rose's A Small Crowd of Strangers is the story of Pattianne Anthony, a young woman who leaves home on a spiritual quest and-by shedding what husband, family, and orthodox Catholicism expect of her-learns to share 'time and space and silent language with strangers,' learns to live alone on the edge of 'a crazy gathering of lost souls.' Pattianne finds solace in solitude, ultimately realizing that she is 'seeking wonder.' She spends quiet, introspective stretches in the Pacific Northwest's natural world, gaining a Buddhist sensibility suited to her soul. Joanna Rose's beautifully lyric novel is a gift: the work of a true story-teller. Her quiet, careful wonderment nourishes our souls. -Paulann Petersen, Oregon Poet Laureate Emerita If you've ever longed for the truth, but were afraid to face the reality of it, or made bad decisions for the right reasons, you'll love this fascinating cast of characters and the honesty, complexity and beauty of this captivating story. -Anna Quinn, author of The Night Child PRAISE FOR JOANNA ROSE'S DEBUT NOVEL, LITTLE MISS STRANGE (Algonquin) An extraordinarily powerful first novel . . . Sarajean is impossible to forget. -Kirkus Reviews Packed with colorful details reminiscent of the dream the era of 'free love' left behind. -Redbook A wondrous, uncanny book, like few others you will read . . . So assured and accomplished that it seems the work of a seasoned novelist at the peak of her talent. -The Oregonian The closest thing to a perfect book that I have read in years. -The Bellingham Herald