Critical Praise

"A magnificent novel…A powerhouse of a debut that grips from start to finish."

—Steven Galloway, author of the The Cellist of Sarajevo

"Under This Unbroken Sky is a dazzling novel. Shandi Mitchell’s depiction of Depression-era prairie life has a vividness and veracity that brings to mind Willa Cather’s fiction, but Mitchell’s voice and her rendering of the human heart’s complexities are completely her own. She is a writer of immense talent."

—Ron Rash, New York Times bestselling author of Serena

"[A] novel that focuses on the human condition. Mitchell excels at describing the family’s state of poverty, where nothing is wasted, clothing is mended and reused, and everyone has a role in tending the crop. Readers want to root for this family."

—Associated Press

"Shandi Mitchell’s screenwriting skills serve her well in this remarkable first novel…The starkly gorgeous prairie comes alive…An indelible portrait of courage. Combining the storytelling skills of Ivan Doig with the stunning landscapes in Karen Fisher’s A Sudden Country, Mitchell’s harrowing story delivers an unforgettable literary tribute to an immigrant people and their struggle. The lyrical style, the riveting historical material, and the treatment of prejudice make the novel a great book-club choice."

—Booklist, starred review