Guests on Earth A Novel
Guests on Earth by Lee Smith is a reprint edition published by Algonquin Books on May 13, 2014. This novel, written in English and spanning 368 pages, follows the story of Evalina Toussaint, a thirteen-year-old orphan who is admitted to Highland Hospital, a mental institution in Asheville, North Carolina, in 1936. Under the guidance of Zelda Fitzgerald, one of the hospital’s most notable patients, Evalina experiences a series of events leading to the tragic fire of 1948 that claimed the lives of nine women, including Zelda.
Readers will find a narrative that intricately weaves together elements of fiction and fact, exploring themes of art and madness. The novel presents a unique perspective on the lives of those within the institution, highlighting the innovative treatments for nervous disorders and addictions during that era. Through Evalina’s eyes, the story delves into the complexities of human experience, offering insights into the intertwined nature of creativity and mental health.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Reading Lee Smith ranks among the great pleasures of American fiction . . . Gives evidence again of the grace and insight that distinguish her work.” —Robert Stone, author of Death of the Black-Haired Girl
It’s 1936 when orphaned thirteen-year-old Evalina Toussaint is admitted to Highland Hospital, a mental institution in Asheville, North Carolina, known for its innovative treatments for nervous disorders and addictions. Taken under the wing of the hospital’s most notable patient, Zelda Fitzgerald, Evalina witnesses cascading events that lead up to the tragic fire of 1948 that killed nine women in a locked ward, Zelda among them. Author Lee Smith has created, through a seamless blending of fiction and fact, a mesmerizing novel about a world apart–in which art and madness are luminously intertwined.
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