Small Rain

"A new novel from Garth Greenwell is cause for celebration. Small Rain takes place during the terrifying, early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The protagonist has a blindingly painful tear in his aorta that lands him in an isolated Iowa City hospital room. He narrates from his bed, where his intimate portraits of each orderly, nurse and doctor open doors to human kindness. This book is a lyrical meditation on life and death, sickness and health, the birth of love, and an examination of human frailty and strength. As always with Greenwell, Small Rain is also an erotic celebration of gay love."

"Yes, let me make a quick shout out for Small Rain by Garth Greenwell, author of the magnificent, passionate Cleanness . In Small Rain, a poet is struck down with a rare disease and finds himself confined to an intensive care unit. The Chicago Tribune described it as “one of the most profound reading experiences I’ve ever had,” adding: “A novel about a man stuck alone in a hospital bed should be inert, but Small Rain is anything but.” The Observer reviewer agreed: reading it, “you feel as though you were holding a single grain of rice in your hand which, upon examination under a microscope, reveals itself to be engraved with the history of the world.” Small Rain is a “vivid, generous” novel that “will provide sustenance.” All very promising. It’s just out, and there’s a copy sitting on my bedside table waiting to be read. What’s on yours? We love to hear from Five Books readers. Let us know which titles you’ve been waiting for by sending us a message on social media."