Stormy Weather

In Paulette Jiles' poignant narrative set during the Great Depression, the Stoddard family endures the hardships of an itinerant life in East Texas, driven by their father's quest for work in the oil industry. As devastating drought and dust storms exacerbate their struggles, the family is forced to return to their abandoned farm. Jeanine Stoddard emerges as the pillar of strength, determined to revive their lives, but faces a desperate choice that could hinge on a wildcat oil well and her late father's beloved racehorse, Smoky Joe. Amidst adversity, the story unfolds with themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the pursuit of a better future.