my take: The story of two families, six kids total, and how their lives intersect through divorce and remarriage.

I’d read a blip of a review before reading – which I generally avoid –  that said this was her most autobiographical novel to date. Because I read This is the Story of a Happy Marriage, I knew a little of her life story and that added to my enjoyment of the book. It was fun to think about what she fabricated and what she pulled from her own life.

It seems to me each of her books is different – locations, development of the plot, cultures, eras … so after our discussion of Commonwealth (see below) I found an NPR interview where she says all her books are about the same thing: plucking characters out of their natural habitat and plopping them into a new situation. Yes! AND her works still seem different enough to enjoy each one.

my source: For a trip to Italy & France with BFF and her SIL we decided a book club-ish read would be fun … including our hubbies, who have been shut out of book club for the last 20+ years (except for my hubby’s desserts) had a lovely discussion in a VW minivan zooming along the Autostrada on the French/Italian coast packed in like sardines.

my verdict: Good read…not my favorite of hers, but worth a read. See also State of Wonder, The Magician’s Assistant, Bel Canto

photo courtesy of Beatrice VanWinkle