Groundskeeping
AuthorLee Cole
Audio read byMichael Crouch
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreFiction
PublisherAlfred A. Knopf
Publication date
March 1, 2022
Media typePrint (hardcover), e-book, audio
Pages336
ISBN978-0-593-32050-1

Groundskeeping is a 2022 novel by American author Lee Cole. His debut novel, it was published by Alfred A. Knopf on March 1, 2022.

Plot

In the fall of 2016, just before the US presidential election, 28-year-old aspiring writer Owen Callahan has recently moved back to his home state of Kentucky, near Louisville, where he lives with his grandfather and uncle. He works as a groundskeeper at Ashby College, and in exchange is allowed to enroll in a creative writing workshop. He meets Princeton-educated writer-in-residence Alma Hazdic, 26, who grew up in the affluent Virginia suburbs and comes from a family of Bosnian Muslim refugees, and they begin a relationship.[1][2]

Background

Cole, a native Kentuckian, has said that the novel is not autobiographical, but that there are elements of his life present in it. He was born in Paducah, where some of the novel takes place, and spent time in Louisville, where the majority of it is set. Cole was the first in his family to attend college. He started out at the University of Kentucky, then the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and graduated from the University of Louisville. He attended the Iowa Writers' Workshop from 2017 to 2019.[2][3] The character of Pop is based on Cole's own grandfather, Creston Shelton, to whom the novel is dedicated.[2]

Reception

Hamilton Cain of The New York Times called Groundskeeping an "exacting, beautifully textured debut novel."[1] Wendy Smith of The Washington Post called it "satisfyingly rich in themes and details... very fine work indeed from an exciting new voice."[4] The novel was selected by Jenna Bush Hager for her Today show book club.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Cain, Hamilton (1 March 2022). "When Relationship Problems Mirror the Struggles of a Nation". New York Times. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Runyon, Keith (24 March 2022). "'A place that never was': Kentucky author Lee Cole pens memorable, timely debut novel". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  3. ↑ "Author Lee Cole talks inspiration for 'Groundskeeping'". Today. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  4. ↑ Smith, Wendy (14 March 2022). "Lee Cole's 'Groundskeeping' is an empathetic portrait of people across the political spectrum". Washington Post. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  5. ↑ Schaub, Michael (1 March 2022). "'Groundskeeping' Is New 'Today' Book Club Pick". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
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