by A. M. Homes
First published 1854
Harry has spent years watching his younger brother George from the sidelines. George runs a television network, lives in a stunning house, and married a woman Harry finds irresistible. George also carries a violent streak that Harry recognizes as genuinely dangerous. At Thanksgiving dinner, Harry makes a terrible mistake. He kisses George's wife. This single moment of betrayal sets off a cascade of events that pushes George past his breaking point. George's explosive reaction results in violence so severe it destroys both their lives completely. The brothers find themselves thrust into circumstances neither could have imagined. Harry must navigate the wreckage of what happened while grappling with his own role in the disaster. Both men face the question of whether redemption is possible after such devastating choices. The story follows their attempts to rebuild from the ruins of their former existence.
Genres: literary-fiction, contemporary, psychological-thriller, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: redemption, unreliable-narrator
480 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Granta
Content warnings: violence