Whistler - a beautiful story about a woman who reconnects with her stepfather, a man she hasn't seen in decades.

Daphne Fuller leads a fulfilling life as an English teacher at a Manhattan prep school. At 53, she is happily married to 70-year-old Jonathan, a retired hospital administrator. While walking through New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Jonathan notices a man who seems to be following Daphne. Although she doesn't recognize him, the man is Eddie Triplett, her mother's second husband. Daphne's parents, Buddy and Abigail, divorced when she and her sister were young. Abigail is now married to Lucas, her third husband, a former self-help author, with she has two sons. Eddie's marriage to Abigail had been brief; they met while working at the same publishing house. However, after Daphne, at age nine, and Eddie were in a horrible car accident, Abigail sent her husband packing and cut off all contact, leaving Daphne devastated. After this chance meeting at the museum, Daphne decides she won't lose Eddie a second time.

Whistler, by Ann Patchett, exemplifies what literary fiction should be. Although primarily set in the present, the story of the 1980 car accident is told through flashbacks. It includes Eddie telling Daphne, in the uncertain aftermath of the crash, the story of a woman and her horse, Whistler. While the main characters are captivating, the book also includes a rich ensemble including Daphne's younger sister Leda, a clinical psychologist and her son Henry, who is wise beyond his years. It's a story about family relationships, love, and storytelling. When you reach a stage in life where there are more years behind you than ahead, books reflecting on the choices we've made are particularly poignant, especially when told by such a gifted writer. So, have the tissues ready. You'll need them. 

Many thanks to Harper for the advance of this unforgettable book.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Literary Fiction.

Publication Date: June 2, 2026

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