Unfinished desires

Gail Godwin's award-winning work lives in a constant dilemma: many critics claim it is high literature, while others claim it has a popular bias. With Unfinished Desires, she proves she deserves to be honored for both titles. An avant-garde book, ahead of its time and completely advanced. The novel possesses a well-developed and original structure, with multiple timelines and perspectives, and a large number of characters. Furthermore, the poetic power of the language is remarkable, felt throughout the book, reaching a stage of freedom and grace. Autumn 1951. At Mount St. Gabriel's School for Girls, located in the mountains of North Carolina, Tildy Stratton, the unforgettable leader of her class, makes a new friend: Chloe Starnes, a newcomer whose mother had recently died a mysterious death. The friendship between the two fills a gap in their lives, but at the same time, it sets in motion a series of events that will affect the lives of many, including that of the girls' young teacher and that of Suzanne Ravenel, then headmistress of the institution. Deeply hidden secrets will come to light. A story of friendship, loyalty, lies that become absolute truths, and unfulfilled desires passed from generation to generation, masterfully capturing the rare moment of redemption when a soul frees itself from its bonds. In the end, the author delivers a clear message: true desires never end. "A great story, full of love, loss, fidelity, secrets, rivalry, and faith, with a charming and, above all, human cast of characters. Compelling." (Boston Globe) "Godwin is an extraordinary author. Her prose is elegant, nuanced and moving, with a subtle irony that permeates the entire story." (The New York Times) “With each book, Gail Godwin proves herself to be one of the smartest and most talented writers working today.” (Chicago Sun-Times)