He appropriates her tale for a novel, which ultimately becomes a film seen by most of the family members. In her mid-twenties Franny shares the story of her family’s tragedy with her lover, Leo Posen, an award-winning author. In a seamless, vibrant narrative Patchett reveals the consequences of an impulsive act over five decades. Everyone in the blended family carries this scar forward, but for the children it’s particularly painful because of the secrets they share. Then one vacation adventure leads to tragedy, and one son’s death. At first they shuttle between parents, gathering for summers in Virginia. Two marriages end, and six step-siblings are left unmoored. After several boozy hours, Bert impulsively kisses Beverly, and many lives begin to unravel. Bert doesn’t come empty handed he shows up with a bottle of gin.
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He has business with the Fix, a Los Angeles police officer, and also wants some time free from his brood of three children and pregnant wife. A deputy district attorney named Bert Cousins crashes the party. Today, NBCC board member Jane Ciabattari offers an appreciation of fiction finalist Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth (Harper).Īnn Patchett’s beguiling new novel begins in a Southern California suburb where Fix and Beverly Keating are hosting a christening party for their second daughter Franny. Ann Patchett A miraculous accomplishment in genre-bending. Picked by Library reads as the 1 Book for March, an IndieNext Title for April, and as a Book to Watch in 2017 by Elle, The Millions, Nylon.
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NPR BEST READS 2017 ANN PATCHETT INTERVIEW SERIES
In the 30 Books in 30 Days series leading up to the March 16 announcement of the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award winners, NBCC board members review the 30 finalists. Chosen as a Best Book of 2017 by NPR, Paste Magazine.