A Debut Novel IDAHO - I Dunno Why It's been Nominated for an E A Poe Best 1st Novel Award

IDAHO is an expansive novel that attempts to achieve an emotional scope of love & sacrifice.  It also tries to whittle down life's essence to its core.  Memories are what is deep inside us and give life its meaning.  Emily Ruskovich's foray into dementia and its life stealing curse may be worse for loved one's for whom they are no longer recognizable.  The novel's title is the state in which this saga is set.  The majesty and expansive beauty of Idaho make it the land into its own character in a novel that is strewn with too many characters, timelines & struggles.  The novel becomes a laborious sojourn burdened by horrendous tragedies and convoluted relationships; most of which are left unresolved.  Wade & his first wife Jenny are happily married with two young girls atop a rustic mountainside.  All seems serene until Jenny murders their youngest daughter May while the family is out chopping wood one fine summer day.  This horrendous scenario is inexplicable.  The older daughter June is left alone while Wade hurriedly drives his wife and fatally wounded daughter for help.  June is gone when Wade returns and remains missing.  Jenny is imprisoned for life.   The novel explores life within the prison for Jenny.  Wade marries Ann, the school's music teacher whom he'd taken piano lessons from while his wife was alive.  There are other tangents to this torrid tale that bury the story's allegory of "sacrifice, giving and giving at the expense, only, of happiness".  Ruskovich demonstrates craftiness in her writing style, but the reader will "search for meaning and there is no meaning to be found."