The View from Half Dome

A Novel

by Jill Caugherty

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Pub Date 20 Apr 2023 | Archive Date 30 Mar 2023

Black Rose Writing

Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction

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Description

1934. Isabel longs to escape her squalid San Francisco neighborhood. While her mother struggles to make ends meet and her older brother serves with the CCC at Yosemite, she manages the household and comforts her younger sister with stories about an idyllic imaginary world. Desperate for a taste of freedom, she takes matters into her own hands—with tragic consequences.

Distraught, she flees to Yosemite, where she falls in love with its majestic beauty. Inspired by Enid Michael, the park's only female ranger-naturalist, Isabel hikes, learns new skills, and discovers an inner strength she never knew she had. But even as she relishes her independence, she hides her grief, along with a terrible secret she fears will destroy relations with her family. And when she receives upsetting news from home, Isabel must decide if she can assist her family without sacrificing her chance at a new life.

Rich with historical detail and lyrical prose, The View from Half Dome is a moving coming of age story about hope, forgiveness, nature's healing power, and the courage to overcome societal boundaries and grow, regardless of age.

A Note From the Publisher

Jill Caugherty is the author of the debut historical novel Waltz in Swing Time, set in Depression-era Utah. Her short stories have been published in 805Lit, Oyster River Pages, The Potato Soup Journal, The Prospectus Blog, and The Magazine of History and Fiction. After holding software development, product management, and marketing positions in the high tech industry for nearly thirty years, she now writes full time. Jill is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers' Association and the North Carolina Writers' Network. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and daughter.

Jill Caugherty is the author of the debut historical novel Waltz in Swing Time, set in Depression-era Utah. Her short stories have been published in 805Lit, Oyster River Pages, The Potato Soup...

Advance Praise

“The breezy, conversational prose is engaging, capturing the despair of the Depression and the frustration of women struggling for equality. Isabel is a sturdy, compelling protagonist, but it’s quirky Enid who will linger in readers’ minds. A gentle, poignant tale with nicely developed real and fictional characters.” –Kirkus Reviews

"A touching coming of age tale set against the towering beauty of Yosemite National Park, where a young woman's dreams reach as high as its tallest peaks." -Jean Roberts, author of The Heron

"Well-developed characters, gorgeous setting, and a story that will stay with you. 5 stars!" -Gail Ward Olmsted, author of Miranda Writes

"Open this book to enjoy the scenes in Yosemite, and stay for well-drawn characters that include the park's first female ranger-naturalist. Highly recommended." -Linda Ulleseit, author of Aloha Spirit

"Isabel will steal your heart with her hopeful spirit." -Kerry Chaput, author of Daughter of the King

"Historical fiction at its very best: a wonderful story that immerses the reader in a distant era. Readers of Sue Monk Kidd and Kim Michele Richardson will enjoy Caugherty's deeply touching story." -David Rabin, author of In Danger of Judgment