In a year of war, sixteen-year-old Charlotte sets off on a mission of love in the backwoods of Louisiana, only to be violated by three soldiers in a lonely section of the forest. Charlotte's young life is destroyed, but another life is growing inside her. Years later, in peacetime, Charlotte comes to House of Gentle Men, a mysterious sanctuary where sad, damaged women are administered to by haunted men wishing to atone for their past crimes. Here, Charolotte falls in love with one of the Gentle Men, a tormented young soldier with a terrible secret of his own. An artistic triumph of the highest order, this debut is a transcendent tale of salvation that celebrates the strength of the heart. The House of Gentle Men, in everything from its unforgettable title, its original concept, and its simple, elegant momentum, is an astonishing accomplishment. It has the fateful mood of a myth or a tale, but the people are as real as ourselves and I love it that Kathy Hepinstall knows how to make forgiveness as interesting as hopelessness.--"Gail Godwin..".addictive...The adroitness with which Kathy Hepinstall carries off this surreal premise is all the more impressive given that the novel is the Austin author's first."--"Texas Monthly..".intriguing...lyrical and uniquely descriptive writing...this unusual first novel is definitely thought-provoking." --"Booklist..".lovely lyrical prose..."--"Kirkus Reviews..".this odd but appealing first novel is a disconcerting yet harmonious mix of realistic characters and place, with a fable-like premise...Hepinstall is deft at developing believable personalitites and structuring a moral landscape in which they can find insight to reconnect with their better selves."--"Publishers Weekly"In an assured first novel that demonstrates promising literary talent, Hepinstall gracefully explores issues of guilt, forgiveness, grace, and redemption."--"Library Journal"This is a deeply poetic novel, haunting as a fable, and enormously generous of spirit."--"Austin Chronicle"An imaginative tale of secrets, crimes, forgiveness and redemption."--"Austin American-Statesman"A lyrical tale of sin and redemption with the heart of a fable...beautifully told."--"Atlanta Journal-Constitution"Kathy Hepinstall is an amazing new writer who writes with the authority, power, and control of a seasoned novelist. THE HOUSE OF GENTLE MEN is a tour de force..."--"TerryMcMillan"THE HOUSE OF GENTLE MEN is a richly poetic fable that only a woman could tell. At once modern and timeless, it strikes a chord that will resonate in the heart and mind of the reader long after the last page has been turned...and extraordinary debut."--"Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey"Fresh and provocative, THE HOUSE OF GENTLE MEN shimmers with sensuous prose."--"New Orleans Times-Picayune"THE HOUSE OF GENTLE MEN is an unusual story, dark yet elegant, odd yet endearing, gripping throughout and ultimately life-affirming...will stay with you long after you gently set the book down at its end."--"San Antonio Express News"Though the characters and the storyline in THE HOUSE OF GENTLE MEN are compelling--addictive, even--so, too, is Hepinstall's writing style, especially her imagery."--"Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal..".haunting and poetic...beautifully written."--"Hilton Head Island Packet"This stunning first novel is not forgettable."--"Arkansas Democrat-Gazette In a year of war, sixteen-year-old Charlotte sets off on a mission of love in the backwoods of Louisiana, only to be violated by three soldiers in a lonely section of the forest. Charlotte's young life is destroyed, but another life is growing inside her. Years later, in peacetime, Charlotte comes to House of Gentle Men, a mysterious sanctuary where sad, damaged women are administered to by haunted men wishing to atone for their past crimes. Here, Charolotte falls in love with one of the Gentle Men, a tormented young soldier with a terrible secret of his own. An artistic triumph of the highest order, this debut is a transcendent tale of salvation that celebrates the strength of the heart. Kathy Hepinstall was born in Odessa, Texas, and spent a large part of her childhood two hours from the Louisiana border, where most of her relatives reside. She lives in Austin, Texas. The House of Gentle Men is her first novel.