Commonwealth: A Novel
The best-selling author and winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize tells the enthralling story of how an unexpected romantic encounter irrevocably changes two families’ lives. Spanning five decades, Commonwealth explores how this chance encounter reverberates through the lives of the four parents and six children involved. 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.
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Community Reviews
Having just finished a deeply involved relationship with Count Rostov in Moscow, I wasn't sure that I could adopt another group of protagonists, but I'm glad that I did. I could not put this book down. It isn't as deep an involvement, but it was satisfying. It is a compelling story about an extremely extended family and there are so many nuances that it pushes you to the finish.
First two chapters weren’t bad...and then it tanks. Just very dull. By the end of chapter four I just could NOT keep reading. I was bored and looking for things to do other than read-a definite red flag. I gave it over 100 pgs. and that was more than enough. Disappointed. I’d heard great things about her.
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Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
322 pages
What’s it about?
In the early 1960’s Bert Cousins shows up at Franny Keating’s christening party with a large bottle of gin. By the end of the party Burt Cousens and Beverly Keating cross a line they choose not to back away from. Their actions that afternoon will have repercussions for both families in ways they can not foresee. This novel explores the next five decades in the Cousins’ and Keatings’ lives. In this novel Ann Patchett takes an unflinching look at a blended family.
What did it make me think about?
Ann Patchett does not back away from a difficult subjects. In "Commonwealth" she explores the pain, and bonds of a blended family. In particular- I found the relationships between siblings over time really interesting.
Should I read it?
Ann Patchett never disappoints. I found the first third of the novel slightly disjointed, but I enjoyed this book anyway. If anything I wish the book had explored some of the characters in more depth. Albie was so interesting and I never really got to know him well enough. This book is easy to read, and as always Ann Patchett has something to say.
Quote-
“ These days he worked for company out in Walnut Creek that made bicycles. He liked that. Christmas he sent his mother a plane ticket so that she could come and sit around a tree with him and his daughter and his wife. Sometimes the popcorn and the fireplace and the endless hands of Go Fish would overwhelm her and she will have to excuse herself and go to the bathroom just to stand beside the sink for a minute and cry. Afterwards she'd rinse her face and dry off again, coming back to the living room h=good as new. It what she had hoped for but never for a minute what she'd expected."
If you liked this try-
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
322 pages
What’s it about?
In the early 1960’s Bert Cousins shows up at Franny Keating’s christening party with a large bottle of gin. By the end of the party Burt Cousens and Beverly Keating cross a line they choose not to back away from. Their actions that afternoon will have repercussions for both families in ways they can not foresee. This novel explores the next five decades in the Cousins’ and Keatings’ lives. In this novel Ann Patchett takes an unflinching look at a blended family.
What did it make me think about?
Ann Patchett does not back away from a difficult subjects. In "Commonwealth" she explores the pain, and bonds of a blended family. In particular- I found the relationships between siblings over time really interesting.
Should I read it?
Ann Patchett never disappoints. I found the first third of the novel slightly disjointed, but I enjoyed this book anyway. If anything I wish the book had explored some of the characters in more depth. Albie was so interesting and I never really got to know him well enough. This book is easy to read, and as always Ann Patchett has something to say.
Quote-
“ These days he worked for company out in Walnut Creek that made bicycles. He liked that. Christmas he sent his mother a plane ticket so that she could come and sit around a tree with him and his daughter and his wife. Sometimes the popcorn and the fireplace and the endless hands of Go Fish would overwhelm her and she will have to excuse herself and go to the bathroom just to stand beside the sink for a minute and cry. Afterwards she'd rinse her face and dry off again, coming back to the living room h=good as new. It what she had hoped for but never for a minute what she'd expected."
If you liked this try-
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
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