Nothing happens, and everything happens, in this seemingly quiet novel where Amy Smiley takes us deep into the emotional bond between three people—a mother, her son, and his babysitter—and follows each of them through a period of growth, from one spring to the next, until they are able to step out into the world more freely, with nature as their guide.

With its subtle focus on the inner life, Amy Smiley’s prose conveys the beneficial power of reverie, teaching us that we need more of it, to help us each find meaning in our lives. Written under the star of motherhood, Hiking Underground is an exquisite meditation on the interplay of nurture, connection, and creativity.