Commonwealth

Commonwealth, a captivating novel by Ann Patchett, was published in 2017 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. This book is a fascinating exploration of how a chance encounter can change the lives of two families forever. Patchett, known for her compelling storytelling, weaves a narrative that spans five decades, taking readers on a journey through the lives of the characters. The story unfolds with an illicit kiss that leads to an unexpected divorce and a family that's fused together in a strange yet enchanting way. This novel is a testament to Patchett's prowess as a writer and her ability to create complex characters that resonate with readers long after they've turned the last page. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys beautifully written novels that delve into the intricacies of family dynamics and human relationships.

''Dazzling . The combination of lightness, warmth and remarkable incisiveness creates a novel that is life-affirming and compulsively readable'' Sunday Times A powerful story of two families brought together by beauty and torn apart by tragedy, the new novel by the Orange Prize-winning author of Bel Canto and State of Wonder is her most astonishing yetIt is 1964: Bert Cousins, the deputy District Attorney, shows up at Franny Keating''s christening party uninvited, bottle of gin in hand. As the cops of Los Angeles drink, talk and dance into the June afternoon, he notices a heart-stoppingly beautiful woman. When Bert kisses Beverly Keating, his host''s wife, the new baby pressed between them, he sets in motion the joining of two families whose shared fate will be defined on a day seven years later.In 1988, Franny Keating, now twenty-four, has dropped out of law school and is working as a cocktail waitress in Chicago. When she meets one of her idols, the famous author Leon Posen, and tells him about her family, she unwittingly relinquishes control over their story. Franny never dreams that the consequences of this encounter will extend beyond her own life into those of her scattered siblings and parents. Told with equal measures of humour and heartbreak, Commonwealth is a powerful and tender tale of family, betrayal and the far-reaching bonds of love and responsibility.