Let the Wild Grasses Grow

Let the Wild Grasses Grow chronicles the lives of Della Chavez and John Cordova, childhood friends separated by a tragic accident, who find each other again during World War II after leading lives of struggle through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and, for John, abuse at the hands of his grandfather. This sweeping American love story celebrates the power of home landscapes, family heritage, and first love.


PRAISE FOR LET THE WILD GRASSES GROW

“Johnstun knows his terrain well, creating a palpable sense of the sky and soil, grasses and wildlife of the mesa—and the winds of change that swept through the nation for two tumultuous decades. A tender evocation of grief, hope, and dignity.”
—KIRKUS REVIEWS

“Johnstun weaves together a lyrical love story . . . the characters are connected by a deep-rooted bond to the land and their shared Mexican heritage. Johnstun’s rich writing style pays homage to what it means to be a westerner, and to the intensity of true love.”
—BOOKLIST

“A multilayered, emotional novel that weaves history and family stories, from the Dust Bowl to World War II, seen through Hispanic eyes. Though it contains vivid depictions of the hardships and despair of the times, the power of hope, love, and community shines through these pages. Della and John are well-drawn characters that, by the end of the book, will feel like friends.”
—TERESA DOVALPAGE, author of Queen of Bones

“In Johnstun’s Let the Wild Grasses Grow, Colorado has a successor to Kent Haruf. This is a beautiful and expansive novel about two Hispanic families, their struggle to survive the Depression and racism, and their struggle to find love and their place in the world during World War II. A propulsive read.”
—SEAN PRENTISS, author of Finding Abbey