Renowned author Susan Straight has unveiled her latest novel, Sacrament, which delves into the lives of nurses during a critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Set in San Bernardino, California, during the summer of 2020, the story provides a poignant glimpse into the challenges faced by healthcare professionals as they care for patients in dire circumstances.
The novel centers around Larette Embers, an ICU nurse who finds solace in singing to her comatose patients, and Marisol Manalang, a nurse from the Philippines who balances her responsibilities toward her colleagues and patients. The narrative also explores the impact of the pandemic on their teenage children, who are kept apart from their mothers for safety reasons. Additionally, the story weaves in a love interest from Straight’s previous work, Mecca, featuring Johnny Frias, a California Highway Patrol officer in search of love amid the chaos.
In a recent Q&A, Straight emphasized the dual nature of Sacrament as both a love story and an exploration of family dynamics during a challenging time. She described the setting of the Coachella Valley, where a teenage romance unfolds in a date garden, adding layers of complexity to the characters’ lives.
Literary Influences and Recommendations
Straight, who has received numerous accolades, including the Kirsch Award for Lifetime Achievement, expressed her admiration for literary works that have shaped her worldview. She frequently recommends James Welch’s Fools Crow, which portrays life in the Montana Territory, and Helena Maria Viramontes’ Under the Feet of Jesus, focusing on a family of migrant workers in California.
When asked about her reading preferences, Straight noted her eclectic taste, encompassing a wide range of genres, from literary novels to mysteries. She currently finds herself immersed in Michael Connelly’s Nightshade and the classic Sounder, highlighting the importance of varied narratives in her literary diet.
Despite her busy writing schedule, Straight’s community involvement remains strong. She maintains a Fence Library outside her home in Riverside, where she offers books to passersby. This initiative began during the pandemic, providing a space for travelers and healthcare workers to share stories and find solace in literature.
Reflections on Writing and Impact
Straight’s experiences with her nurse friends have greatly influenced her writing, especially the delicate representation of the care given to COVID-19 patients. She noted, “My nurse friends told me the detail of how tenderly they turned the bodies of COVID patients from back to stomach, and how soft the back always feels, no matter how strong the man.” This insight underscores her commitment to authenticity in her portrayal of the healthcare community.
Her reflections extend beyond the narrative itself. Straight invites her readers to consider profound questions about grief and the complexities of closure following the loss of a loved one. She stated, “I would ask my readers how we grieve when we lose a loved one, and how closure might, or might not, ever happen when we continue to live while missing that loved one with an intensity that stays.”
As Sacrament prepares for its release, readers can look forward to exploring the depths of human connection amid adversity. Straight will appear on the November 21, 2025, episode of Bookish, where she will further discuss her work and insights into the process of writing during challenging times.
