Title: Commonwealth
Author: Ann Patchett
Pub Date: September 13th, 2016
My Rating: ★★★☆☆
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Synopis from Goodreads:
One Sunday afternoon in Southern California, Bert Cousins shows up at Franny Keating’s christening party uninvited. Before evening falls, he has kissed Franny’s mother, Beverly—thus setting in motion the dissolution of their marriages and the joining of two families.
Spanning five decades, Commonwealth explores how this chance encounter reverberates through the lives of the four parents and six children involved. Spending summers together in Virginia, the Keating and Cousins children forge a lasting bond that is based on a shared disillusionment with their parents and the strange and genuine affection that grows up between them.
When, in her twenties, Franny begins an affair with the legendary author Leon Posen and tells him about her family, the story of her siblings is no longer hers to control. Their childhood becomes the basis for his wildly successful book, ultimately forcing them to come to terms with their losses, their guilt, and the deeply loyal connection they feel for one another.
Told with equal measures of humor and heartbreak, Commonwealth is a meditation on inspiration, interpretation, and the ownership of stories. It is a brilliant and tender tale of the far-reaching ties of love and responsibility that bind us together.
I haven’t decided whether I want to read this one yet. I’ve seen it get some really mixed reviews. Excellent review!
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It’s a good book but I wouldn’t say you’re missing a lot not reading it.
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I have been looking at this one for a while. I really want to give it a try, but since it seems to be a slower paced read, I will hold off until the right mood hits me. Sometimes I struggle with slower titles. Thanks for a great review!
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This one is on my TBR. Have you read her Bel Canto? It’s brilliant!
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That’s the first book by Patchett I’ve read. I’ll check out Bel Canto! Thanks for recommendation 🙂
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I was so bummed when NetGalley denied my request for an ARC.
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The book is out now, so go get it 😉 Or check it out from library, I’d recommend doing that.
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Have you read any of her other books? She is attending a book festival in Kentucky in April that I will be attending and I am going to try and work my way through her works.
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I haven’t read anything else by her. Looking forward for your reviews of her other books, maybe something will catch my eye.
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