First published 1987
Frances Mayes, a young professor, stumbles upon a hidden trove of poetry. As she delves into the verses, Mayes' own life begins to unravel, revealing a past shrouded in loss and longing. Torn between the allure of the written word and the weight of her personal demons, she must confront the ghosts that haunt her. Through the power of language, Mayes embarks on a transformative odyssey, unearthing the depths of her own heart and the universal truths that bind us all.
Genres: literary-fiction, contemporary, adult-fiction, poetry, biography-memoir, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, self-discovery
656 pages · Paperback · Harcourt Brace College Publishers
Content warnings: mental-illness