The Turtle House

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Minnie and her granddaughter Lia are unforgettable protagonists whose grit and grace will inspire you. Moving between late 1990s small-town Texas and pre-World War II Japan, this emotionally engaging debut explores the bond between a grandmother and granddaughter as they navigate their shared history and secrets. In spring 1999, 25-year-old Lia returns to Curtain, Texas, where her 73-year-old grandmother, Mineko, has moved after a suspicious fire destroyed the family ranch house. Both women are at pivotal moments in their lives: Mineko, a widowed Japanese war bride, and Lia, an architect with a promising career in Austin, grappling with her own unexplained return. As they share late-night conversations, Mineko recounts her early life in Japan, revealing stories of love, loss, and the abandoned Turtle House, a cherished place from her past. These revelations help Lia understand her grandmother’s sacrifices and her own struggles, including a career she abandoned and a mysterious caller. When Mineko’s children plan to move her into assisted living against her wishes, she and Lia devise a plan to recreate a beloved lost place, seeking safety and belonging. This story illuminates intergenerational friendship, identity, and the quest for home when it feels lost forever.