An Exaltation of Larks (Venery)

"Laqueur challenges herself and her readers... With a voice that is completely unique, gorgeous writing, and characters so three-dimensional you'd swear you could touch them." -The Angry Reader Winner of the Grand Prize in the Writer's Digest Book Awards First Place Winner in the North Street Book Prize Two tragedy-laden September 11ths. Three lives bound across three decades. One sweeping epic of resilience, hidden truths, and unconventional love. September 11, 1973: Eleven-year-old Alejandro Penda watches Santiago, Chile fall to a violent military dictatorship. Disappeared from his home and torn from everything he knows, Alex escapes alone to America. Adopted by the prominent Lark family, he builds a life anchored in loyalty, quiet resilience, and a deep bond with Valerie Lark. September 11, 2001: Javier Landes guards his heart behind Manhattan luxury and emotional distance. But when the fall of the Twin Towers leaves him sole guardian of his orphaned nephew, Jav is forced to face the unresolved grief of his own past. When Alex, Valerie, and Jav cross paths, a powerful, unexpected connection forms-one that defies boundaries and spans decades. As secret histories emerge, all three must navigate the complex lines between friendship, passion, and what it truly means to belong to a family. Perfect for readers of deep, emotionally intelligent literary fiction, complex relationship sagas, and epic stories of found family and slow-burn devotion. Contains mature themes, complex love dynamics, and historical drama. "An exploration of how people find a new family... the strength of this book was the characters' rich inner lives-their yearning for love and devotion to one another." - Jendi Reiter, North Street Book Prize Judge