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    Wait

    by Burnham, Gabriella
    “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.

    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.

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    Author

    • Burnham, Gabriella

    Author Introduction

    • Gabriella Burnham, acclaimed author and educator, explores complex themes in contemporary literature with notable critical acclaim.

    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
    1. Part I: Home Chapter 1
      2,139 Words
    2. Part I: Home Chapter 2
      2,242 Words
    3. Part I: Home Chapter 3
      2,459 Words
    4. Part I: Home Chapter 4
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    5. Part I: Home Chapter 5
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    7. Part II: The Guest Chapter 1
      2,059 Words
    8. Part II: The Guest Chapter 2
      2,205 Words
    9. Part II: The Guest Chapter 3
      2,424 Words
    10. Part II: The Guest Chapter 4
      2,211 Words
    11. Part II: The Guest Chapter 5
      2,382 Words
    12. Part II: The Guest Chapter 6
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    13. Part II: The Guest Chapter 7
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    14. Part III: The Main House Chapter 1
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    15. Part III: The Main House Chapter 2
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    16. Part III: The Main House Chapter 3
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    17. Part III: The Main House Chapter 4
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    18. Part III: The Main House Chapter 5
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    19. Part III: The Main House Chapter 6
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    20. Part III: The Main House Chapter 7
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    21. Part III: The Main House Chapter 8
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    22. Part III: The Main House Chapter 9
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    23. Part III: The Main House Chapter 10
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    24. Part III: The Main House Chapter 11
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    25. Part III: The Main House Chapter 12
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    Ongoing April 17, 2025Apr 17, '25 55.2 K Everyone

    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.

    • 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?

    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.

    • 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?

    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.

    • 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.

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