Beasts of the Earth

Winner of the 2023 Spur Award, James Wade's "Beasts of the Earth" is a powerful and haunting novel set in Texas and Louisiana that examines the complexities of hate, love, trauma, and goodness. The story intertwines the lives of Harlen LeBlanc, a quiet groundskeeper caught in a violent upheaval, and Michael Fischer, a young man haunted by his past and seeking to define what it means to be a good person. Through these interconnected narratives, Wade explores themes of fate, free will, and redemption, culminating in a poignant and thought-provoking conclusion.