"In Orphans of the Living, Kathy Watson gives us an unflinching look at how Americans lived, worked, loved, and dreamed in the first half of the twentieth century. Watson brings history to life on the page bravely, honestly, and generously."—Ann Hood, author of The Stolen Child

“The language of this debut novel makes the Stovall family come alive. The images are fresh and poignant. Each voice is unique, memorable and invites us to the Southwest and West of Steinbeck and Barbara Kingsolver. I look forward to more novels written by this story master. So will you.”—Jane Kirkpatrick, New York Times best-selling author of Across the Crying Sands

“Orphans of the Living is a masterpiece of writing as spare as the hardscrabble landscapes that never quite support its characters. Watson’s gift is that she weaves the threads of redemption like sinews that bind this poignant narrative into a story well worth knowing. . . . Brava to this debut novelist.”—Barbara Stark-Nemon, author of Even in Darkness

"In this stark and poignant novel, Kathy Watson crafts a heart-wrenching story of poverty, injustice, and fractured familial relationships before, during, and after America's Great Depression. Through intimate and skillful storytelling, Watson weaves the intertwined stories of a misguided dreamer, a hardened wife, a resentful son, and a troubled daughter (whose story alone left me bereft) as they navigate their hardscrabble lives in the American South and West. To what end will each of them go to find forgiveness? Redemption? An impressive debut." —Ashley E. Sweeney, author of The Irish Girl