No More Empty Spaces: A Novel

No More Empty Spaces is a 1973 novel by American geologist Will Ross, who struggles for control of his family, work, and the landscape of the dam he is building in a remote, rugged part of Turkey. Alongside these emotional conflicts, he and his children face powerful external forces of erosion, dissolution, landslides, and earthquakes, and each character gradually realizes that the landscape they stand upon and the landscapes of their lives will shift and shake regardless of their choices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 09 April 2024
Publisher: She Writes Press

In 1973, Will Ross, a divorced American geologist, embarks on a challenging assignment to work on a troubled dam in a remote and rugged part of Turkey. Despite his children's initial belief that they will only be visiting for their usual two-week stint of shared custody, they soon realize that they will be living there indefinitely. As Will grapples with the struggle for control over various aspects of his life, including his family, work, the landscape of the dam site, and ultimately himself, he and his children are confronted by powerful external forces. These forces include erosion, dissolution, landslides, and earthquakes, which significantly impact their daily lives.

While science can provide valuable insights into these natural hazards and engineering can help mitigate their effects, each character gradually comes to understand that the landscape they stand upon, as well as the landscapes of their lives, will inevitably shift and shake regardless of their choices. The central question becomes: how will they respond to these inevitable changes?

No More Empty Spaces is a thought-provoking and compelling novel that will make readers reflect on their relationships with themselves, their families, and the Earth and its ever-changing processes. Through the experiences of Will and his children, the book explores the complexities of human nature, the impact of natural hazards, and the choices we make in navigating the unpredictable terrain of life.

Dimension: 215 x 139 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647426163