The Daughters: A Novel

by Ben Rogers

Renowned—albeit washed-up—author Peter Zemeckis (“Z”) is relishing the sunset of a life spent single when Dr. Nancy Chu crash-lands in the bungalow next door. As Nancy’s family drags him into deeper water, Z must rethink the ending to his own story.

Spanning from Amarillo, Texas, in 1977 to La Jolla, California, in 2012, The Daughters is a kaleidoscopic meditation on family, memory, and the invisible forces that bind us. Z’s narrative interweaves small-town rodeos with amateur radios, teen angst with parental love. Shard by shard, he pieces together the story of a fractured family struggling to reassemble itself.

Like particles, Z’s characters (and neighbors) are both small and singular, but their stories ripple like waves—colliding, refracting, and reshaping one another across generations. Elegant, intricate, and deeply moving, The Daughters reverberates long after its final page is turned.

“What a find Ben Rogers is...a sharp writer who has built a beautiful novel. I can’t recommend this one enough."
–Willy Vlautin, author of The Horse, recipient of the 2025 Joyce Carol Oates Prize

“A richly textured vision...An authentic and poignant depiction of the complex, contradictory relationships among family members.”
–Kirkus Reviews

“Carefully weaving emotion into ritual, Rogers shows exceptional command of his skill. Its complex, layered, and messy characters feel immediately intimate and real.”
–IndieReader

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

Rogers’ debut novel The Flamer was called “one of the wisest, funniest, strangest novels I’ve ever read” by Christopher Coake, and “diabolically funny” by Claire Vaye Watkins. He is also the author of The Daughters, The Heavy Side, and The Mayfly. His work has been published in The Rumpus, PANK, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, The Portland Review, Arroyo Literary Review, and Wag’s Revue, and has earned the Nevada Arts Council Fellowship. He is also the lead author of Nanotechnology: Understanding Small Systems, the first-ever comprehensive textbook on nanotechnology, and Nanotechnology: The Whole Story, both of which earned the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award from the American Library Association. He studied engineering and journalism in college and has worked as a business analyst, a newspaper reporter, a teacher, and a scientist at various labs, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is currently the Director of Engineering at NevadaNano. For more information, visit www.readrogers.com.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a well-written, character driven story that I did not want to put down. I also didn't want it to end. The book is set up with each chapter focusing on a different character, and as you meet each new character you start to see there are threads that tie all of their stories together. The novel comes full circle in the end in such a compelling and beautiful way. I highly recommend this one!

[Campbell Dedmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Daughters was one of those books where upon finishing, I just had to sit there for half an hour and go back and re-read my favorite parts. The character development was so uniquely and expertly told and maintaining the consistent point of view from “Z” but getting to still fully immerse in each character’s section was brilliant.

The different relationships that come with daughters were encapsulated so well in this novel, while simultaneously allowing each character to have a story or conflict of their own.

Everybody go read this now!

[Charles Magesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Interesting Family Story


THE DAUGHTERS: A NOVEL by Ben Rogers is an exciting coming-of-age and family story. The narrative follows the lives of two main characters, Amy and Charlotte, who are "daughters" of two families in the narrator's neighborhood, as they experience their coming of age and develop their futures. The story is fast-paced, immersive, and engaging, capturing the reader’s attention from the very first chapter.

The author does a great job with character development and world-building. The settings are richly described, allowing the reader to visualize the scenes as if watching a movie. Additionally, the prologue at the beginning of the book provides a brief overview of what the story is about and helps the reader follow and understand the plot.

There are interesting twists and coincidences in this neighborhood. For example, Amy fell in love with Nancy's ex-husband shortly after their divorce. Later, Amy became interested in Z after he had fallen in love with Nancy. Many readers will empathize with Amy, as she keeps losing what matters most to her. However, it is noteworthy that she ensures her daughter does not make the same mistakes she did.

Parents raising daughters can learn a few lessons from these two families. For instance, Charlotte appears to be confused, arrogant, and selfish, to the point of not allowing her parents the opportunity to be happy. Amy's parents seem strict, and their parenting style appears to have shaped Amy into a strong, independent, and considerate woman.

[Gretchen Gasper-wallett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Daughters is a well-written and nicely conceived novel that I enjoyed. The characters were well fleshed out, with the exception of the narrator, but I suspect that was a conscious choice. The novel is narrated by a man with only an initial for a name, "Z". My main issue with this novel is the narration style employed by Z. It is mostly in the first quarter of the book, the author makes an attempt to portray Z as a wise-cracking, fourth wall breaking character, like in a movie. This is off-putting, and takes you out of the story. However, I implore you, continue on with the story, it is worth it. This narration device slowly fades as the novel progresses. I much prefer the narration style in the latter portion of the novel, which feels more intimate and organic, instead of gimmicky. This novel follows three generations of one family through the observations of a third party who is involved in their lives much later, but is a confidant of the mother and daughter at the center. I cannot recall a time where I learned about so many characters through a minor character in a novel and it works. Rogers creates lush women, each with their flaws, but thoroughly real. He does not put his women on a pedestal, nor does he misogynistically bash them either. His caring for each of the characters comes through.

[Kibet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tender, and thoughtful story

Ben Rogers crafts a novel that will easily sneak on you albeit quietly. The story centers around Zemeckis who went from fame to a less renowned author, and blends in different themes of renewal, regret and connection. The author combines different settings and timelines from the early 2000s in California to the 1970s Texas rodeos. That is why it manifests as less of a story and seems like a memory which has immense meaning even though it is highly fragmented. Rogers covers the beauty and complications of family which lends the readers more wisdom than they would have when they began reading.
The book is subtle, which makes it magical as the author is not grandiose with dramatic emotions and twists. It combines the little things that make life meaningful, like the old letter written to you, or late night conversations with friends and family which are intimate moments that elevate the storyline. All characters are crafted exceptionally to illuminate them to showcase their humanity which gives the story even more light. The author delivers a rare piece that is effortless yet so intricate.

[Iron John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just got reading this, and I have to tell someone about it! You know when you start a book expecting one thing, and it slowly, quietly pulls you into something so much deeper? That’s this book.

The pages move through time and place so smoothly. It never feels rushed or confusing, just real. You get these small, everyday moments that suddenly carry so much weight. Z is a great guide through it all, he’s observant, a bit flawed, and honestly pretty relatable. Through his eyes, this fractured family slowly comes into focus, piece by piece.

It’s a quiet book, but it’s definitely not boring. It’s the kind of story that settles in beside you and makes you think about belonging, connection, and how we’re all shaped by people, even the ones we barely know.

If you’re into character driven stories that reward a little patience and stick with you long after the last page, you should totally pick this one up. It’s a really beautiful, moving read.

[Constance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben Rogers’ The Daughters is a multi-generational story of three different women, and how their lives and childhoods shaped them into the women they each became.

I must say that this story has potential, but I’m not too confident about the execution. First of all, the narrative is a bit scatterbrained for the first few chapters, and it’s hard to tell what the book is really about at first. There’s also something about Rogers’ writing style that I don’t like. It’s too embellished, and sometimes he over describes scenes making them difficult to understand. That’s just my personal preference though, as others may find it interesting and unique.

[Bob Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Daughters is a coming-of-age story spanning multiple generations. It's not a loud drama, though. Instead, it builds its impact through carefully drawn relationships and the slow accumulation of shared history. The voice of the narrator feels intimate and reflective, giving the story a sense of warmth even when it explores regret, distance, and unspoken tensions. I was especially impressed by how the book moves across decades without losing emotional clarity. Every stage of life adds another layer to the family’s story. It’s thoughtful, restrained, and deeply affecting, the kind of literary fiction that rewards patience and stays with you long after you finish reading.

[Donna Emperador · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of three daughters

Ben Rogers tells the story of three different women whose lives are intertwined and how their parents' influence and expectations molded the women they would become.

THE DAUGHTERS explores how even small occurrences can have big effects on the lives of many, such as a father's comment that influences important life choices, causing generational effects.

The story is about self reflection, forgiveness, and acceptance.

This is a great read for women and for anyone on a journey of self-discovery.

[John Obi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tender, heartfelt read, I only have one thing to say: I wish the author had added more details on Zemeckis and his retracing of the family history. Without that crucial detail, the story seems like a winding tale that's just going nowhere.

When I went back to read the prologue, I discovered that author Ben Rogers touched on this in the prologue. Many readers skip over the prologue, so it probably would have made more sense to add that in to the first chapter.

Still a solid read, though.

[Charles Malumba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel pulled me in with its unusual narrator and kept me engaged through its shifts in time and perspective. The way the author traces a family’s story from the late 1970s all the way to the 2010s gives the characters depth and history you don’t always find in contemporary fiction. The story exemplified how small actions can ripple forward and shape later lives, making the tale feel both intimate and expansive. A rewarding read for anyone who likes character-driven books about memory, love, and the ties that bind us.

[Phin Ejike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Daughters is a heartfelt drama that follows three women as they grow up, exploring how their otherwise unique lives intertwine and cross paths. It’s a unique story, full of interesting twists that most wouldn’t see coming. Ben Rogers put together a beautiful piece that would appeal especially to women and young girls.

[Cindy Darcey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Daughters is a remarkable story written by Ben Rogers. The story is captivating with amazing character development. Actually, I think this would be a GREAT movie! The book is a wonderful read for mothers, fathers, and daughters!
Loved the book!