The Pale Surface of Things has won a number of awards in Multicultural Fiction, including golds from USA BookNews Awards, Indie Excellence Awards, and Next Generation Indies Awards. It was a finalist awards from Nautilus Book Awards and the Beach Book Festival Awards. Pale Surface placed second in the overall Fiction Grand Prize from Next Generation Indies Awards. Janey Bennett’s novel, published by Hopeace Press, also won a gold medal award from Publishers West for best use of environmental materials, for their use of 100 % post-consumer recycled paper and vegetable inks.
Set on the Greek island of Crete, The Pale Surface of Things follows Douglas, a young archaeologist who lands in a traditional Cretan village and becomes the focus of a blood-feud dating back to when the Nazis were there, in World War II. Families have inherited shame and rage from those bad days, and the new priest must bring their secrets to light to begin the process of healing. Greek law, village traditions, and the Orthodox church teach Douglas lessons of shame, terror, gratitude, forgiveness, and ultimately, accountability.
Contact information: For information regarding interviews or discussion with the author, please email palesurface@gmail.com.