Picture an American storyteller who weaves heartbreak, history, and hope into unforgettable novels—meet Rachel Beanland! Born in Groton, Connecticut, this fiction writer captured hearts with her debut, Florence Adler Swims Forever, a poignant tale that nabbed the 2020 National Jewish Book Award for Debut Fiction. With a knack for emotionally rich narratives, Beanland’s work dives deep into family ties, resilience, and the Jewish American experience, making her a rising star in historical fiction.
Beanland’s stories aren’t just books—they’re time machines, pulling readers into the complexities of love, sacrifice, and secrets. From Atlantic City’s vibrant 1930s to a tragic fire in 1811 Virginia, her novels blend meticulous research with characters who feel like old friends (or complicated relatives). Let’s explore the life and legacy of this captivating author!
The Making of Rachel Beanland
Rachel Beanland’s journey to authorship began in Groton, Connecticut, where her military family’s global travels sparked a love for stories. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, with degrees in public relations and art history, she later earned an MFA in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her early career in public relations and teaching at institutions like the College of William & Mary honed her storytelling craft. Inspired by personal loss—her father’s death from pancreatic cancer—and her family’s Jewish heritage, Beanland began writing novels that resonate with emotional depth and historical nuance.
Rachel Beanland’s Unforgettable Stories
Beanland’s debut, Florence Adler Swims Forever (2020), is a heart-wrenching historical novel set in 1934 Atlantic City. Inspired by her family’s history, it follows the Adler family grappling with a young woman’s drowning and a secret kept to protect a pregnant sister. The novel’s vivid prose and themes of grief and resilience earned it accolades, including a Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick and a New York Times Editors’ Choice nod.
Her second novel, The House Is on Fire (2023), transports readers to the 1811 Richmond Theater fire, a real-life tragedy. Through four perspectives, including a widowed woman and an enslaved blacksmith, Beanland explores heroism, racism, and gender disparities in early America. Praised by NPR and The New Yorker as a top book of 2023, it showcases her ability to blend suspense with social commentary. Beanland’s style—lyrical, character-driven, and steeped in historical detail—makes her novels both intimate and expansive, inviting readers to reflect on human strength amid chaos.
Her essays, appearing in outlets like Lit Hub and Creative Nonfiction, further reveal her thoughtful voice, often exploring personal and cultural narratives. Whether crafting fiction or nonfiction, Beanland’s work pulses with empathy, making the past feel urgently alive.
Why Rachel Beanland Matters
Rachel Beanland’s novels do more than entertain—they illuminate the resilience of marginalized voices, from Jewish immigrants to enslaved individuals. Her focus on Jewish American experiences and historical traumas fosters empathy and understanding, bridging past and present. By tackling tough topics like grief, racism, and sexism with grace, she invites readers to confront history’s complexities while celebrating human endurance. Her work has inspired book clubs, sparked discussions, and earned a devoted following, cementing her place in contemporary fiction.
As the 2023-24 Writer-in-Residence at the University of Richmond, Beanland continues to mentor aspiring writers, sharing her disciplined approach—she famously wrote her debut from 4:30 to 7 a.m. daily! Her courage to tackle personal and historical narratives makes her a vital voice in historical fiction.
- Born: Groton, Connecticut
- Key Works: Florence Adler Swims Forever (2020), The House Is on Fire (2023)
- Awards: 2020 National Jewish Book Award for Debut Fiction
- Education: MFA, Virginia Commonwealth University
Snag Florence Adler Swims Forever or The House Is on Fire and dive into Rachel Beanland’s soul-stirring historical fiction! Her stories will leave you laughing, crying, and marveling at the power of family and resilience.