When a tornado wipes out a family home, four siblings are left to raise themselves

The Wildlands — Abby Geni

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The Wildlands by Abby Geni

Content warnings included in the footnote of this newsletter.¹

What It’s About

I know what you’re thinking, and don’t let the Tiger King–esque cover fool you. This is an emotional and nuanced portrait of an American family in tragedy trying to pick up the pieces of their lives. 

A Category 5 tornado swept through Oklahoma, destroying everything and everyone in its path, including the McCloud family. Darlene, Jane, Cora, and Tucker were instantly orphaned and made national headlines as a tragic and viral story people quickly forgot. But for the children, this was their new life. Tucker immediately takes off and leaves the girls on their own, and Darlene knows it’s her job to raise her siblings. 

Years later, Tucker walks back into their lives on the heels of another local accident that seems too convenient to just have taken place. And when Tucker disappears again, but this time with his nine-year-old sister Cora, Darlene can’t ignore it anymore and calls the police in for help tracking them down. It evolves into a police chase, a mystery, a family drama, and so much more.

Who Will Like It

Those who enjoy a meticulously detailed family drama will devour this book. If you enjoyed The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney or Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson (a personal favorite), pick this one up. What’s memorable about this one is the incredibly detailed and flawed characters who do not always make great decisions, but you can tell that they try, and that they believe they are doing what is best for their loved ones.

Geni also has a new short story collection, The Body Farm, out in May this year, so I cannot wait to pick up something new from her.

Library update! I am estimating I have about *half* (this is a guess, I’m scared I could not be at the halfway mark yet) of my books transported, meticulously cataloged in my nerdy spreadsheet, and shelved in my new home library. It feels so good to be putting them back in their home, and I’ve missed having a room that feels as cozy as this one.

Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations: 

• Read a cautionary tale of a modern princess trapped in her castle

• Read a thriller about a polygamist, his wives, and their secret pasts

• An enchanting and beautiful island starts to turn against its visitors

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1. While I typically note content warnings, I first read this book before I began the practice, so do not have detailed notes. To the best of my ability, I believe there is discussion of animal testing and cruelty and child endangerment, but please take caution while reading if you are uncertain about the material.