Vera

In Carol Edgarian's captivating novel, we follow fifteen-year-old Vera Johnson, the illegitimate daughter of San Francisco's most notorious bordello owner, as she navigates the chaos following a devastating earthquake. Vera's life teeters between the alluring yet morally ambiguous world of her mother and the quiet domesticity of her caretakers. As the city crumbles around her, she teams up with her former rival Tan and other survivors, forging an unexpected family amidst the ruins. This character-driven narrative explores themes of love, loyalty, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of catastrophe.