Exploring Themes of Isolation in Scott Hess’s ‘Drought’

Award-winning author Scott Alexander Hess will be at The Hound Books in Roscoe Thursday, Aug. 13, for a reading and Q&A focused on his novel Drought.

Drought follows Parnell, an isolated orphan from New Jersey who unexpectedly inherits a dilapidated tobacco farm in Kentucky from an uncle he barely knew.

Hess said Parnell has spent much of his life separated from other people, in part because of his physical differences. The inherited farm gives him an opportunity to take a risk and begin a new chapter.

“He’s on that bus and he’s taking a risk in beginning his journey,” Hess said. “And you know that kind of starts us off on his adventure, his journey to possibility.”

The novel uses a dual narrative, alternating between Parnell’s story and that of his late uncle, Willie, who lived on the Kentucky farm and had a secret gay relationship in the 1950s.

Hess said the two men’s stories explore different experiences of isolation and the challenges of living on the margins of society.

As Parnell begins to settle into his new surroundings, he develops connections with people in the community, including a man who works at a Sonic restaurant and a preacher who helps him uncover the history of his uncle and the farm.

Hess said Drought explores difficult subjects but ultimately leaves room for hope.

“A lot of my novels will — they feel like they’re going dark but then, at least from my point of view, they end with a sense of hope,” he said.

Hess grew up in St. Louis, Mo., and has lived and worked creatively in New York City. In addition to writing novels, he teaches fiction writing and has worked as an actor and screenwriter. He also wrote and performed a solo show featuring 21 different characters.

He said his experience as an actor has influenced his approach to writing, particularly in developing characters.

“The journey of being an actor where you become another person has helped me a lot as a writer because once I start the book, the characters really come to life,” Hess said.

Hess said he has written 11 books, with nine published. He is currently revising a new novel, Hate Crime, which he described as having a murder mystery element.

Drought recently received a Publishing Triangle award. Hess said the recognition was encouraging, while emphasizing that continuing to write is the most important part of the process.

“The sticking with it and just writing the next book and trusting in your process and showing up is really important,” he said.

Image: Author Scott Alexander Hess will be in conversation with Ahu Terzi at The Hound Books on August 13. (ScottAlexanderHess.com)