THE GULF

Stacy Gonzalez deftly crafts the characters in this novel, set in the 1970s. The story is told through the eyes of Lou, a young woman whose brother was killed in Vietnam. She takes on the task of restoring the old home of Miss Kate, a mother figure to her when she was growing up. Her work on the house parallels a backdrop of serious issues: the mores of the day, her relationship with her girlfriend, her small-town's mindset, extremist religion, and racism. Gonzalez captures the various characters, creating an accent here, deepening her voice there, and paying attention to their personalities and emotions. She shines with minor characters and those in supporting roles, such as a kind aunt and a gossipy accomplice. M.B. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2023]