Hard Red Spring

“Hard Red Spring (Viking, 2016) by Kelly Kerney ’02 is an ambitious and unforgettable novel that takes readers through a hundred years of Guatemala’s turbulent and violent history—as experienced by four American women caught in the cultural and political currents of their adopted land, and linked by the mysterious disappearance of a little girl. This impressive historical novel is perfect for readers of Barbara Kingsolver, Isabel Allende, and Julia Alvarez. Hard Red Spring brilliantly reveals how the harsh realities of history play out in the lives of individuals. Kerney’s gorgeous prose paints a vivid picture of Guatemala—a place of untamed beauty and resilient people that bears the scars of brutal dictatorships and disastrous American intervention.
“Kelly Kerney’s first novel, Born Again, was listed among the best debuts of the year by Kirkus Reviews, was a Book Sense Pick, and was recognized by the New York Public Library as one of the best books of 2006. A Virginia Commission for the Arts fellowship recipient, she lives in Richmond, Virginia.” From the Publisher.