Susan Straight, a distinguished author known for her works such as “Mecca” and “In the Country of Women,” has released her latest novel, “Sacrament.” The book delves into the experiences of nurses working in San Bernardino during the late summer of 2020. The narrative follows Larette Embers, an ICU nurse who comforts coma patients with song, and Marisol Manalang, a nurse originally from the Philippines, who supports both her colleagues and patients during the pandemic’s peak.
In “Sacrament,” Straight intertwines the challenges faced by these healthcare professionals with the lives of their teenage children, who must remain separated from their mothers for safety. The novel also features a love story involving Johnny Frias, a character from Straight’s previous work, “Mecca,” as he searches for a meaningful relationship. Additionally, themes of youthful romance and unexpected events, such as a runaway bull in Carbon Canyon, enrich the narrative.
Reader Recommendations and Literary Influences
Throughout her career, Straight has consistently championed literature that resonates with her. She frequently recommends James Welch‘s “Fools Crow,” which offers a panoramic view of the Montana Territory in the 1870s, and Helena Maria Viramontes’s “Under the Feet of Jesus,” a poignant tale about a family of migrant workers in California’s Central Valley.
Currently, Straight is captivated by Michael Connelly’s “Nightshade,” a gripping story set on Catalina Island, and the classic novel “Sounder,” which explores the bond between a boy and his hunting dog in Louisiana. Her diverse reading choices reflect her broad literary interests, spanning genres from literary fiction to poetry and mysteries.
Impact of Community and Personal Experiences
In March 2020, during the onset of the pandemic, Straight initiated a community project called the Fence Library, which has since become a local fixture. This initiative provides hundreds of books to passersby from a collection maintained along her sidewalk in Riverside. Through this project, she has connected with traveling nurses from Riverside Community Hospital, sharing stories and offering comfort during their demanding shifts.
Reflecting on her literary journey, Straight recalls the profound impact of her first book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which resonated with her own experiences of growing up in a family of immigrants. She attributes her passion for writing to her summer school Creative Writing instructor, Bill Bowers, who affirmed her talent at a young age.
While she enjoys a variety of genres, Straight emphasizes the importance of a book’s voice and emotional depth. For instance, she admires the wry tone of Easy Rawlins in Walter Mosley’s mysteries and the haunting melancholy present in Manuel Muñoz’s stories.
In a unique insight about “Sacrament,” Straight reveals that her observations of longhorn cattle in Reche Canyon influenced her portrayal of a pivotal scene involving Johnny Frias and his father. She also highlights the tender care nurses provide when turning the bodies of COVID-19 patients, a detail shared by her nursing friends.
As Straight continues to explore the complexities of grief and closure in her writing, she poses a thought-provoking question to her readers: how do we grieve the loss of a loved one, and is true closure ever attainable? This inquiry reflects the emotional weight carried throughout “Sacrament,” ensuring its relevance amidst ongoing discussions about the pandemic’s impact.
Readers can look forward to hearing more about “Sacrament” during Straight’s appearance on the November 21, 2025 episode of Bookish, where she will further discuss her insights and experiences as an author.
