ABOUT THE NOVEL

I had never questioned a miracle, witnessed a gunfight, or seen a dead body. . . .I had thought I knew exactly what I wanted and what I didn't. Before the summer was over, all that and much more would change.

Annabel Hayes—born, baptized, and orphaned in the sleepy conservative town of Dayton, Tennessee—is delighted to find herself falling quickly and deeply in love with George Craig, a sophisticated attorney, newly arrived from Knoxville. But before the end of their first year of marriage, their lives are beset by losses, and the strain on their relationship is only intensified when John T. Scopes is arrested for teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution at the local high school. Foreshadowing today's culture wars, the trial against Scopes is a spectacle unlike any the country has seen. William Jennings Bryan—a revered Southern politician—joins the prosecution, pitting himself and his faith against the renowned defense attorney Clarence Darrow. Journalists descend in a frenzy, thrusting the town and its citizens into the national spotlight. And when George joins the team defending Scopes, Annabel begins to question both her beliefs and her vows. As the ongoing trial divides neighbor against neighbor, so too does it divide the Craigs in unexpected ways. But in the midst of these conflicts—one waged in an open courtroom, the other behind closed doors—Annabel will discover that the path to her own evolution begins with the courage to think for herself.

EARLY praise

Adriana Trigiani

“Lisa Grunwald is a national treasure and The Evolution of Annabel Craig is proof. Annabel, the voice of this splendid novel, is feisty, curious and a survivor. When the historic Scopes Trial unfolds in her hometown, neither Dayton, Tennessee, her citizens, nor Annabel will ever be the same. When Annabel’s beliefs are challenged and her faith in love is tested, she finds her truth. An essential American story from a master craftsman.” 

—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Left Undone

Fiona Davis

“Grunwald has created a luminous heroine in Annabel Craig, a woman finding her way in a fast-changing world, forced to question everything she loves and stands for, from her choice of a husband to her spiritual beliefs. Eerily resonant in today’s troubled times, this is a magnificent, page-turning story full of heart and bursting with empathy.” 

—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Spectacular

ALLISON PATAKI

In The Evolution of Annabel Craig, beloved author Lisa Grunwald puts readers in the center of the real-life trial that divided a town and captivated a nation. Sensitive, poignant, and full of heart, this is a tale that feels both important and inevitable. We all studied the Scopes Trial in school, but Grunwald’s retelling is stunningly timely and relevant for today.”

—Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

Edward J. Larson

“Engaging fiction about minds actually being changed by a landmark 1925 courtroom culture clash over science and religion set in a small southern town and covered by the nation's media. Timely and hopeful.”

—Edward J. Larson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America’s Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY

The layered and timely latest from Grunwald revolves around the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial…Grunwald provides vivid depictions of the influx of reporters and expert witnesses into small-town Dayton, Tenn., as well as a nuanced and well-rounded view of the religious townspeople. With book bans and anti-trans legislation tearing apart school districts, Grunwald’s evenhanded historical speaks volumes to the present day.

KIRKUS REVIEWS

Grunwald’s research is admirable…and Annabel offers some important insights: “Women made the small decisions and men made the big ones. The small decisions often had the biggest consequences.

BOOKLIST

Grunwald wisely tells the story from the perspective of an older Annabel, reflecting her own evolution. Sure to be a book-club favorite as well as a gentle corrective to our current polarized culture.

A wonderful study of finding one’s true self.  — Pat T.

Officially one of my favorite reads this year. Southern sass and audacious character development—what’s not to love? —Nikki N.

“Spectacular!
This was such an emotional story of a woman finding her voice at a time when women were expected to be seen not heard, homemakers, just something to be owned. Annabel breaks through her gender norms, and religion to stand up for her beliefs despite the consequences. This was beautifully written about true events, with such great care and research.” —Amy T.

“I predict that this book will be one of my top books for the year. To say this book is a historical fiction book about the Scopes Monkey Trial doesn’t do it justice. Yes, it is definitely about that, and I loved getting this on-the-ground view of that pivotal trial, but it’s really a story about a young woman named Annabel Craig…I thought it was all beautifully told…Grunwald can write! I will definitely try to get ahold of her backlist titles.” —Courtney J.

Extraordinary and beautifully written. Immaculately researched and rich  in detail. I have learned much about the Scopes trial.  And all the while I enjoyed the evolution of Annabel.  —Lisa G. [a different Lisa G!]

Lisa is an amazing author. Like her last, The Evolution of Annabel Craig blew me away. She is a treasure and I'm so grateful to have gotten this book to read. —M. J.

I'll read anything Lisa Grunwald writes. She always leaves me seeking more information beyond the last pages. I highly recommend reading this book. —Tammy

Lisa Grunwald strikes exactly the right notes in The Evolution of Annabel Craig - an excellent history of the Scopes Trial and how it affected Dayton, Tennessee, a well-balanced discussion of the push and pull of religion versus science, and the interesting story of a woman coming of age in the 1920s. Highly recommended. —Carol Turner

I really loved this book. I didn’t know what to expect, and I’m not sure I could have even expected what this book was, but it was enjoyable from the beginning to end. — Elizabeth C.

Annabel is an appealing, three dimensional character. She does not see the world as filled with heroes and villains but with complex people with their own appeal and foibles. As the title suggests, we see her views mature as she begins to look at a world beyond the borders of Dayton. I heartily recommend this book.—Jeremy Booty

I loved this book and was unexpectedly delighted by it! It was so well written in regards to characters, time, place and situation, I don’t remember learning about the Scopes trial and this took me on a fictional journey that lead me to do more research and learn more about it…I sincerely hope we learn more in a sequel about the continuing adventures of Annabel Craig. —Chris O’Neill

For those of you who like Southern fiction and/or historical fiction, put this on the top of your list! —Terry

“So well written! The characters “jump” off the page and into your psyche. Lisa Grunwald did an excellent job describing the setting, the town’s people and the main protagonists. Annabel Craig certainly did evolve and the author does a painstakingly superb job of explaining her transformation and her coming “into her own.” The Scopes “Monkey” Trial was described without prejudice. I loved this book and so will you.” —Annette Geiss

“This book! is one of the best books I have ever read!...It is a story of the wakening of Annabel Craig throughout this trial, and awaken she does, in sublime style. Beautifully written, it is truly a piece of incredible research and fact....This book goes into my top 5 of books read this year! WONDERFUL!” —Ellie

“I loved this book! Lisa Grunwald has, once again, created such a memorable cast of characters as she brings the story of the Scopes "Monkey" trial vividly to life… The truth behind how the trial actually came to be was a revelation of facts I had not previously known. I found the book to be totally absorbing and it kept my attention from beginning to end.” —Donna

“Author Lisa Grunwald masterfully weaves together the stories of the Bible versus evolution and Annabel's personal evolution. Throughout the novel Annabel finds love and grief, the shaking of her faith, kindness and cruelty, loyalty and betrayal while experiencing events and personal revelations she never thought possible. She learns that not only does she have a voice, but also how to use it in the fast changing world of the 1920s.”—Donna

A beautifully written novel drawing the reader into small town living and ideas in the 1920s. The Scopes trial brought the town attention and much discussion on whether evolution should be taught in schools. I had heard of this trial but knew very little of the details. The novel details the subject and characters involved while expertly weaving in the evolution of Annabel Craig, a woman discovering herself in the era where women had limited choices. —Rhonda Struthers-Badour