This is the sort of title I can picture on a recommendation table with a handwritten card beside it.
The books that move well for me in this lane tend to have a clear personality. They know who they are for and do not waste time pretending otherwise.
If this one follows through, I can see it landing with the person who wants substance without textbook drag. Graywolf Press has it listed for 04-Nov-2025.
That alone makes it feel worth keeping on the radar for readers who follow historical fiction with some curiosity.
It also gives me something concrete to mention when a reader wants one more thoughtful recommendation.