"Drought is as full of compassion for its characters--and humanity, in general--as it is unexpected in its storytelling. Hess has written a novel that manages to be simultaneously tender, macabre, and transcendent." 

--Brian Alessandro, author of Performer Non Grata and Julian's Debut 

“Drought is an intricate, moving novel about a lonely farmer who wrestles with his uncle’s past and learns what it

means to belong.” - Foreword Reviews (full review in May 2025 issue)

“I must give Scott Alexander Hess that great bookish compliment: I stayed up late to read this. Each character is unforgettable and compelling, written in a way that you can feel their emotions echo in the spaces between Hess’ words which turn a farm, a church, and a fast food joint into a microcosm of humanity. In the fertile ground of our hearts, this story plants seeds of compassion, desire, and hope. Hess conjures the rains that causes those seeds to sprout, break through the soil, and grow towards the light.”

-T.Q. Sims, author of Godspeed, Lovers 

“Drought is an electrifying story of the elemental powers of friendship and connection.  Parnell’s journey—from barren American institutions into a fertile bond with the land he inherits and the people he encounters there— is a grounded, transformative joy.“

-Dana Burnell, author of The Tame Man

“In Drought, Hess has crafted a parable on human connection in unexpected spaces and despite one’s own weighted history. It’s a spiritual cousin to Proulx’s “Brokeback Mountain,” that blossoms in Jack Twist’s agrarian dream with Ennis. Hess’ deft storytelling turns the pages and before you know it, you’re at the conclusion. And like Ennis’ final utterance in Proulx’s tale, Hess’ last line is equally haunting and touching, rippling back through his story—and you—like a raindrop’s radiating kiss on a still lake.”

—Daniel W.K. Lee, author of Anatomy of Want

“Drought by Scott Alexander Hess is a beautifully written and deeply evocative novel that lingers long after the final page. The author was generous to send me a digital ARC, and I devoured it in a single sitting! The protagonist, Parnell, is a character who begins in a place of quiet suffering, but through the course of the novel, he transforms in ways that are both heartbreaking and deeply affirming. I found myself drawn to his journey and at times aching for him, at others fiercely protective. Hess handles themes of judgment and the ghosts of the past incredibly, allowing the novel to explore healing and self-acceptance with sensitivity. What truly stood out was the novel’s portrayal of deep, nonjudgmental friendship as a force for healing and purpose. The relationships in Drought feel raw and real, underscoring the power of human connection to bring light into even the darkest corners of life.I was immersed in both the physical landscape and the emotional depths of his characters. This is a novel that resonates on multiple levels, offering both a compelling story and a meditation on love, loss, and renewal. If you’re looking for a beautifully crafted novel that explores the complexities of identity, redemption, and human connection, Drought is a must-read!”

-Jacob A. Wolff, Distracted Reader (Bookstagram)

"This is a tale as haunting as the landscape it depicts, with lovely explorations of solitude and transformation achieved throughout. Parnell's journey, coupled with Hess's masterful control over atmosphere and sense of place, will stay with you. Though I wanted to salivate over every sentence, I also couldn't stop reading ahead."

-Evan Lambert, Author, Freelance Writer

“With breathtaking prose that paints a belated coming-of-age story, Drought explores the harrowing legacy of one man's connection to his uncle's land, and all the ghosts it conjures.”

-Amy Dupcak, author of Dust