Wait
Wait is a reflective, emotionally intimate novella that centers around a woman navigating an uncertain waiting period — literal and metaphorical — in her life. Told through sharp, lyrical prose, the story explores themes of time, longing, womanhood, and the body, set against the backdrop of quiet domestic moments and internal conflict.
The narrator moves through a phase of suspended animation — waiting for something to begin or end, searching for clarity, identity, or healing. Though compact, the novella is deeply poetic and evocative, offering a rich emotional interior life in just a few pages.
Description
- “Wait” by Gabriella Burnham is a coming-of-age novel set on Nantucket Island, focusing on two Brazilian American sisters, Elise and Sophie. After their undocumented mother is deported, the sisters navigate complex family dynamics, identity, and self-sufficiency amidst socioeconomic challenges. The narrative explores themes of immigration, belonging, and resilience in a nuanced portrayal of contemporary American life.
FAQs
- What is the novel “Wait” by Gabriella Burnham about?
- • “Wait” is a coming-of-age story set on Nantucket Island, focusing on two sisters, Elise and Sophie, as they navigate life and family challenges after their mother is deported. The novel explores themes of family bonds, self-sufficiency, and the immigrant experience in America.
- Who is Gabriella Burnham, the author of “Wait”?
- • Gabriella Burnham is an acclaimed author with an MFA in creative writing from St. Joseph’s College. Her debut novel, “It Is Wood, It Is Stone,” was named a best book of the year by several publications. She has received prestigious fellowships, including at MacDowell and Yaddo.
- What themes does “Wait” explore?
- • The novel delves into issues such as immigration and deportation, class and entitlement, family dynamics, and the resilience required to overcome adversity. It offers a nuanced look at the struggles of undocumented immigrants and the socio-economic pressures on families.
- How has “Wait” been received by critics and readers?
- • “Wait” has received positive reviews for its rich, layered storytelling and tender portrayal of its characters. NPR praised it for movingly tackling serious issues in a premier vacation spot, while other reviewers commend its psychological and socio-economic insights.
- Is “Wait” suitable for book clubs or discussion groups?
- • Yes, there is a book club kit available that includes discussion questions about the immigrant experience, character motivations, and thematic elements, making it a great choice for group discussions.
- What makes “Wait” different from other novels about the immigrant experience?
- • Set uniquely on Nantucket, a place often seen as idyllic, “Wait” offers a fresh perspective by highlighting the lives of undocumented immigrants and broken families within this setting, giving voice to stories often overlooked in such environments.
- Where can I find more information or purchase “Wait”?
- • “Wait” is available through major booksellers and online platforms. Additional details, reviews, and a book club kit can be found on Gabriella Burnham’s official website and publisher pages like Penguin Random House.
- Has Gabriella Burnham written other notable works?
- • Yes, her first novel “It Is Wood, It Is Stone” received critical acclaim and was recognized by Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Publisher’s Weekly, and Good Housekeeping as a best book of the year.
Quotes
- “Just stay a little longer. For me?” — Gabriella Burnham, Wait
- “Wait is on one level a tender coming-of-age story set on the beautiful beaches of Nantucket, and on another, a deeply resonant exploration of family bonds tested by separation and resilience.” — Paraphrased from critical reviews of Wait by Gabriella Burnham
- “In the face of unbearable family challenges, the strength to wait, to hold on, and to hope becomes a quiet act of courage.” — Summarized key theme from Wait by Gabriella Burnham
- “Through the lives of two sisters navigating the aftermath of their mother’s deportation, Wait sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of undocumented immigrants and the self-sufficiency born from uncertainty.” — Paraphrased from thematic analysis of Wait
- “The bonds between a mother and her daughters, stretched across distance and pain, reveal the enduring power of love and the complex waiting that life often demands.” — Inspired by reviews of Wait by Gabriella Burnham
- “Gabriella Burnham has given us a novel to remember, one that takes us to Nantucket and beyond—and we should gladly go.” — Sarah Thankam Mathews, on Wait
- “When you wait, you live in the space between hope and fear, learning that patience is not passive but a form of endurance.” — Inspired thematic insight from Wait by Gabriella Burnham
- Part I: Home Chapter 1 2,139 Words
- Part I: Home Chapter 2 2,242 Words
- Part I: Home Chapter 3 2,459 Words
- Part I: Home Chapter 4 2,221 Words
- Part I: Home Chapter 5 2,396 Words
- Part II: The Guest Chapter 1 2,059 Words
- Part II: The Guest Chapter 2 2,205 Words
- Part II: The Guest Chapter 3 2,424 Words
- Part II: The Guest Chapter 4 2,211 Words
- Part II: The Guest Chapter 5 2,382 Words
- Part II: The Guest Chapter 6 2,461 Words
- Part II: The Guest Chapter 7 2,086 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 1 2,030 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 2 2,179 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 3 2,615 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 4 2,216 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 5 2,279 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 6 2,215 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 7 2,412 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 8 2,347 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 9 1,967 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 10 2,577 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 11 2,312 Words
- Part III: The Main House Chapter 12 2,195 Words
Quotes
“Just stay a little longer. For me?”
— Gabriella Burnham, Wait
“Wait is on one level a tender coming-of-age story set on the beautiful beaches of Nantucket, and on another, a deeply resonant exploration of family bonds tested by separation and resilience.”
— Paraphrased from critical reviews of Wait by Gabriella Burnham
“In the face of unbearable family challenges, the strength to wait, to hold on, and to hope becomes a quiet act of courage.”
— Summarized key theme from Wait by Gabriella Burnham
“Through the lives of two sisters navigating the aftermath of their mother’s deportation, Wait sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of undocumented immigrants and the self-sufficiency born from uncertainty.”
— Paraphrased from thematic analysis of Wait
“The bonds between a mother and her daughters, stretched across distance and pain, reveal the enduring power of love and the complex waiting that life often demands.”
— Inspired by reviews of Wait by Gabriella Burnham
“Gabriella Burnham has given us a novel to remember, one that takes us to Nantucket and beyond
— and we should gladly go.” — Sarah Thankam Mathews, on Wait
“When you wait, you live in the space between hope and fear, learning that patience is not passive but a form of endurance.”
— Inspired thematic insight from Wait by Gabriella Burnham
FAQs
What is the novel “Wait” by Gabriella Burnham about?
• “Wait” is a coming-of-age story set on Nantucket Island, focusing on two sisters, Elise and Sophie, as they navigate life and family challenges after their mother is deported. The novel explores themes of family bonds, self-sufficiency, and the immigrant experience in America.
Who is Gabriella Burnham, the author of “Wait”?
• Gabriella Burnham is an acclaimed author with an MFA in creative writing from St. Joseph’s College. Her debut novel, “It Is Wood, It Is Stone,” was named a best book of the year by several publications. She has received prestigious fellowships, including at MacDowell and Yaddo.
What themes does “Wait” explore?
• The novel delves into issues such as immigration and deportation, class and entitlement, family dynamics, and the resilience required to overcome adversity. It offers a nuanced look at the struggles of undocumented immigrants and the socio-economic pressures on families.
How has “Wait” been received by critics and readers?
• “Wait” has received positive reviews for its rich, layered storytelling and tender portrayal of its characters. NPR praised it for movingly tackling serious issues in a premier vacation spot, while other reviewers commend its psychological and socio-economic insights.
Is “Wait” suitable for book clubs or discussion groups?
• Yes, there is a book club kit available that includes discussion questions about the immigrant experience, character motivations, and thematic elements, making it a great choice for group discussions.
What makes “Wait” different from other novels about the immigrant experience?
• Set uniquely on Nantucket, a place often seen as idyllic, “Wait” offers a fresh perspective by highlighting the lives of undocumented immigrants and broken families within this setting, giving voice to stories often overlooked in such environments.
Where can I find more information or purchase “Wait”?
• “Wait” is available through major booksellers and online platforms. Additional details, reviews, and a book club kit can be found on Gabriella Burnham’s official website and publisher pages like Penguin Random House.
Has Gabriella Burnham written other notable works?
• Yes, her first novel “It Is Wood, It Is Stone” received critical acclaim and was recognized by Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Publisher’s Weekly, and Good Housekeeping as a best book of the year.