Ken Steele (1948–2000)

Set in the 1940s, The Promise of Unbroken Straw follows the Landrum family in their rags to riches tale as they go from lowly farmers to prominent city people after they literally strike oil. But just as money can’t buy happiness, it also can’t protect the family from tragedy, and as the youngest member, Paul Landrum, looks back on his life, he realizes how much he has been able to bend without breaking.

The Promise of Unbroken Straw is an expertly told coming of age tale that deals with show more family dynamics, tragedy, guilt, and dealing with life events beyond one’s control. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written historical fiction novel with a classic feel and a ton of heart.

You can read my full review here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/the-promise-of-unbroken-straw/ show less

Ken Steele’s The Promise of Unbroken Straw is an immersive coming-of-age book set in the 1940s, the story was so powerful, that I had to read it twice. Steele’s writing is both poetic and deeply emotional, and at times, the story’s progression moved me to tears.

A heartfelt and unforgettable novel, The Promise of Unbroken Strawlingers long after the final page. If you enjoy compelling, emotional narratives, I highly recommend it!

Read my full review here - show more target="_top">https://writethroughthenight.com/2025/03/14/review-the-promise-of-unbroken-straw....

A huge thank you to BookSirens and Ken Steele for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

this was a really good book about mental illness and the mental health system in the USA. It was the first book I read about schizophrenia written by a person who suffers from it when my son stared to suffer from the same illness.