Praise
Jill McCorkle, New York Times best-selling author
“Nell Joslin’ s accomplished debut novel explores the loss and destruction of war; through her protagonist, Susannah, the reader witnesses the moral depths of what unites and holds people together as well as what tears them apart.”
Kim Church, author of Byrd
“Susannah’s story—compelling, unforgettable, wholly original—is a brilliant and necessary addition to American Civil War literature.”
Elaine Neil Orr, author of Swimming Between Worlds
“A female-centered Cold Mountain, Measure of Devotion chronicles a woman’s excruciating journey to save her son during the Battles for Chattanooga and her desperate efforts to retain some remnant of home in a country strewn with war. Brilliantly conceived, exquisitely written, Nell Joslin’s debut novel heralds the emergence of a major new voice in Southern letters.”
Angela Davis-Gardner, author of Plum Wine and Butterfly's Child
“Joslin’s writing is both lyrical and fearless, making Measure of Devotion one of those rare novels, an elegant page turner. I could not put the manuscript down the first time I read it, and then read it again, soaking in the brilliant prose. I think that this novel will find a large, varied audience. Measure of Devotion is an original and important novel that belongs on the shelf beside the work of Charles Frazier, George Saunders, and Roxana Robinson.”
Susan Rivers, author of The Second Mrs. Hockaday
“This Civil War-era novel is a richly textured, heartfelt portrait of a mother on a mission. It will leave you with a greater understanding of the issues that divided our country, resulting in profound loss on both sides. Honest and affecting.”
Wayne Caldwell, author of Cataloochee
“This book will deserve accolades and prizes. Despite the grim wartime story, I left it with hope for the characters’ future. Pay attention to Ms. Joslin—she is a fine writer.”
Patricia L. Hudson, author of Traces