Seedfolks

Seedfolks is a multi-perspective mosaic novel, with the overarching story of the creation of a community garden told by 13 distinct characters. Each of these characters has their own arc and voice, providing a distinctive outlook on the garden and community. The result is a deeper exploration of the garden and what it represents to the diverse residents of Gibb Street. Through this technique, the garden takes on multiple meanings, illustrating its positive impact on an entire neighborhood.

Philosophically, multi-perspective narratives grapple with questions of objectivity versus subjectivity. Their form lends itself to the latter, asserting that a narrative can present multiple, sometimes conflicting, truths. In Seedfolks, the multiple perspectives also develop secondary themes regarding the United States as a country of diverse people and cultures working toward a common goal. Though each narrative perspective and voice is different, the garden creates unity not only for the larger story but also amongst the characters. This suggests a reconciliation between objectivity and subjectivity: The garden represents an objective truth—that building community with others leads to mutual flourishing—that each character accesses through subjective methods and motivations.