First published 1987
When Elizabeth, a reclusive septuagenarian, falls from her window, her granddaughter Jody rushes to her side. As Elizabeth recovers, she forms an unlikely bond with her neighbors: Vonny, a young mother longing for connection, and Simon, Vonny's sensitive son. Drawn together by circumstance, this diverse cast navigates the mysteries of love, loss, and the enchantments that hide in plain sight on this island retreat. Hoffman's lyrical prose weaves a tapestry of human fragility and the hope that blossoms in the wake of tragedy.
Genres: literary-fiction, contemporary, magical-realism, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, lyrical
Tropes: found-family, unlikely-friendships
Setting: Martha's Vineyard (Mass.)
259 pages · Paperback · Berkley Trade