A Partial History of Lost Causes: A Novel
Lost Causes: A Novel is the debut fiction work from critically acclaimed author Lauren Grodstein. Spanning decades and countries, the novel is a sweeping historical fiction epic that weaves together tales of love and loss, family secrets and forgotten memories, and explores the human desire for immortality.
The story is set in the backdrop of the American Revolution, a time of great strife and upheaval for the inhabitants of the newly independent United States. At the center of the tale is Susannah Batiste, who, despite the traumas of her own past, finds solace in her faith and her strength as she navigates a world of competing ideologies. As she grows into adulthood, Susannah discovers a lost cause, one that she feels she must keep alive and pass on to the future generations.
The novel examines the idea of lost causes and how they shape our lives and destinies. Susannah discovers the story of Soraya, a woman from Morocco whose life took a vastly different path than Susannah's. Through encounters with Soraya, Susannah learns of the power of love, family, and dedication to a lost cause even in the face of overwhelming obstacles.
As Susannah's journey unfolds, the author traces a number of related lost causes, such as the plight of African slaves in the American South, the fading memory of the Native American tribes, and other struggles for freedom and independence that shaped the nation’s destiny. Through scenes of tragedy and occasional glimpses of hope, Grodstein ultimately paints a timeless portrait of the human condition and its perseverance in the face of adversity.
The novel speaks to the futility of clinging to lost causes, but also to their importance in our lives. We have all gone through times where we have had to make tough decisions, which may have resulted in us investing time and energy in what seemed like a hopeless endeavor. Lost Causes serves as a reminder that impulse to fight for something greater than ourselves can be a powerful motivator and can often bring surprising results.
As with all great literature, Lost Causes is an ambitious work that is bound to generate debate and inspire reflection. It is an evocative and thought-provoking exploration of our history and of the meaning of life in general. By exploring the concept of lost causes, the novel encourages readers to consider their own lost causes, the challenges they have faced, the victories they have won, and the memories of their shared experience that linger in their hearts.
