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February 21, 2022
Caitlin Hamilton Summie's Playlist for Her Novel "Geographies of the Heart"
In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book.
Previous contributors include Jesmyn Ward, Lauren Groff, Bret Easton Ellis, Celeste Ng, T.C. Boyle, Dana Spiotta, Amy Bloom, Aimee Bender, Roxane Gay, and many others.
Caitlin Hamilton Summie's debut Geographies of the Heart is a moving and compelling novel of loss and redemption.
Foreword Reviews wrote of the book:
"...tender...[a] mature depiction of love and sisterhood...Geographies of the Heart is a piercing novel populated by absorbing legacies and instances of forgiveness."
In her own words, here is Caitlin Hamilton Summie's Book Notes music playlist for her debut novel Geographies of the Heart:
In Geographies of the Heart, Sarah Macmillan is devoted to her multi-generational family, but her younger sister, Glennie, is dedicated to her career. As they age and face loss and other challenges, they’re forced to confront their differing priorities. Sometimes, Sarah’s husband, Al, serves as a mediator. This is a novel about the power of legacies, the importance of forgiveness, and the fertile but fragile ground that is family, the first geography to shape our hearts.
Here is the music my characters would have counted on in the difficult years, in the hopeful years, in the years of glory and light. Here is the music that fits certain chapters, even if it was released in the years after my characters needed it.
Blues Traveler, “The Mountain Wins Again” and “Sweet Pain”
Al loves these songs, even though he wins with Sarah. Still, given his long battles socially because of his size, he has had his share of hurt. These songs helped get him through, and he will always love them.
John Hiatt’s “Have a Little Faith in Me”
Two sisters, at loggerheads for decades, meet in the title chapter to attempt reconciliation. The older sister, Sarah, has held a grudge for years against her little sister, Glennie, who might have played this song for Sarah during their tense meeting.
Mondo Cozmo, “Shine”
Al would have listened to this in the chapter “Wonder,” as a reflection of his growing understanding that he shouldn’t hold on to things too tightly. He’s older here. He’s weathered a few storms. He knows more clearly than ever what matters.
Jane Siberry, “Calling All Angels”
Sarah, standing in the hospital waiting room all alone, wishes she could hold her Grandma’s hand, feels a creeping resentment that no one is there to hold hers, and struggles to rise above her own frustrations to keep counting her blessings, especially one in particular.
AND because they share the same taste in music,
In the chapter “Heroes and Other Extinct Species,” the loss of a neighbor’s child tears at the fabric of Al and Sarah’s life, as they believe that they could have intervened to save him. This is a song Al would have played over and over to manage his grief and guilt.
Leanne Womack, “I Hope You Dance”
Now a mother, Sarah would have played this song during any season, but especially in the chapter called “Christmas Eve,” when everything was dark and yet light, worrying and fragile but also so filled with sparkle and hope, with possibility.
“Sons of Odin,” from the Marvel movie THOR
During the long road trip from New Mexico back to Minnesota, Sarah would have played this on repeat—to keep her awake, to her inspire her, and to make her feel strong.
Lauren Daigle’s “You Say”
Because in this quiet family, out in the cold Midwest, roots are people and place and tradition and faith.
Bush’s “Glycerine”
It’s a love song, but it still speaks to Glennie and Sarah, who realize they need to talk and not “let the days go by.” It’s time, at least to try again.
Anything by Loreena McKennitt
If Glennie could sing, she’d sing like Loreena McKennitt. The thing is, she doesn’t sing. Or dance.
But she listens. Carefully. She listens to her patients and increasingly to her family, especially her sister, Sarah. And then during a late night after she leaves work, when the dark shrouds her features as she sits beside her sister, Glennie listens to her own heart—and finally speaks of all that she has held in it.
Caitlin Hamilton Summie earned an MFA with Distinction from Colorado State University. Her short stories have been published in Beloit Fiction Journal, Wisconsin Review, Puerto del Sol, Mud Season Review, and Long Story, Short, among other journals. Her first book, a short story collection called TO LAY TO REST OUR GHOSTS, was published by Fomite Press in 2017 to excellent reviews. It placed Silver, Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in Short Stories and won the 2017 Philip H. McMath Post-Publication Book Award. Her first novel is GEOGRAPHIES OF THE HEART. She co-owns the book marketing firm, Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity, founded in 2003. Find her online at https://caitlinhamiltonsummie.com.
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