Little Ships
A Novel

Profoundly moving family tale Little Ships broke my heart in so many ways. Scofield’s nuanced portrayal of a family in crisis rang so true to events I have witnessed in my own extended family that this story resonated powerfully with me. While I was initially wrapped up in the situation of young Jun......more

"Little Ships" begins with drama—the death of a young mother. Yet this novel’s real impact comes from the undramatic, understated way it probes the complications of family and love. That tone is especially on-target for describing the empty life of Nick Becker (a chain-store pharmacist in Oregon), hi......more

Little Ships, by Sandra J. Scofield, offers a poignant exploration of grief, loss, and the delicate process of rediscovering joy in life. This novel is artfully composed, treating its characters with a tender yet determined touch that echoes Lynne Bryant's The Mother Gene. Set in Oregon, the narrati......more

Readers are immediately drawn into the story with the sudden and tragic death of Karin, leaving behind her husband Nick and their two daughters, Tilde and Juni. Struggling to cope with their grief and the harsh realities of their neglected living conditions, the family is thrust into a new chapter o......more

This book took a while to get into. The writing feels sharp and acute, using simple language to great effect. There are quite a few characters to get to know and I felt like being dropped straight in without much introduction or explanation. As the book unfolded, I got to know and like or dislike the......more