Reviews for A Stream to Follow
. . . a standout novel in post-WWII fiction that will grip your heart and never truly let go.
Reader’s Favorite
Jess Wright’s emotional rendering of a front-line surgeon searching for meaning in post-WWII America–is engaging, well-paced, and has an excellent arc of character, theme, and plot.
Protagonist Bruce Duncan is relatable and worthy of an entire novel; his internal and external battles and hard-won decency is the driving force of the story.
IndieReader
A Stream to Follow touchingly examines trauma, heartbreak, and what it takes to move ahead, in a story that will please readers of character-driven historic and literary fiction.
Wright‘s ability to immerse the reader into the realistic plotline, whether in scenes of the war or of traversing the streets of small-town Pennsylvania, compels this engaging and humane novel forward to its riveting conclusion.
Book Life
This well-crafted novel both haunts and uplifts. Its big heart, good characterizations and lyric scene setting are it winning strengths.
Historical Book Society
Praise for A Stream to Follow
These pages recall the best parts of Hemingway’s Nick Adams, diving deep into the ghosts of war, embers of passion, and the drive to do good work. Jess Wright has a breathtaking winner with A Stream to Follow.
Devin Murphy, best-selling author of The Boat Runner and Tiny Americans
Historical fiction at its finest. Bruce Duncan is a determined and gentle hero whom readers will root for page after page.
Samantha Specks, award-winning author of Dovetails in Tall Grass
Jess Wright’s A Stream to Follow is a gripping reminder of the trauma of war and the healing power of family and love. A stunning and heartfelt debut.
Linda Kass, award-winning author of Tasa’s Song and A Ritchie Boy
This post-World War II novel touchingly and intelligently reminds us that no war ever ends. It survives in our minds and bodies, daring us to live and love alongside our memories of brutal history and unforgettable valor.
Shelly Blanton-Stroud, author of The Copy Boy
In a thrilling account of the aftermath of wartime trauma, Jess Wright tells a story of heroism, love, and healing. Engaging and heartwarming . . . A book you can’t put down.
Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., author of Don’t Believe Everything You Feel and The Worry Cure
An authentic portrait of working through traumatic experiences to develop resilience. At the same time, matters of the heart play an important role in the lives of the characters in this compelling family saga . . . an absolute joy to read.
Ames Sheldon, award winning author of Eleanor’s Wars, Don’t Put the Boats Away, and Lemons in the Garden of Love
Jess Wright is a gifted story-teller who weaves the heart-rending impact of PTSD into a novel that will resonate with all. It is a page-turner full of love, intrigue, and tested values.
Barbara O. Rothbaum, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Emory University Healthcare Veterans Program, author of PTSD: What Everyone Wants to Know