An Affair, a Divorce Lingers Over Generations in Ann Patchett's 'Commonwealth'

The Leonard Lopate Show | Sep 9, 2016

Ann Patchett discusses her latest novel Commonwealth, which explores the aftermath of divorce and re-marriage over a 50-year period. When the mother of 2 children marries the father of 4 children – members of their 2 separate families become one large, blended family. Jennifer Senior in the NY Times called it “exquisite” and “painfully beautiful.” 

Events: Ann Patchett will be at the Barnes & Noble in Princeton, NJ (3535 US Highway 1 #400) on Wednesday, Sept. 14th at 7:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, September 28th at 7:30 p.m., she'll be in conversation with Emma Straub at Symphony Space (2537 Broadway). For tickets, visit their website. 

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

Mamdani hasn't made NYC's buses free. Riders stopped paying anyway.

MTA Chair Janno Lieber suggested the mayor's 2025 campaign pledge led to a rise in fare evasion on buses.
Gothamist |

F@#$ the AI Overlords

A guide to getting AI to work for us, and not the other way around.
On the Media |

Democratic Challengers: Abdul El-Sayed and Nithya Raman

David Remnick speaks with two left-leaning Democrats challenging not just Trump’s agenda but their party’s tarnished image: Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, and Nithya Raman in Los Angeles.
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

Defining "Middle Aged"

Julie Beck talks about the difficulty of determining when being "middle aged" actually starts.
The Brian Lehrer Show |
YOU ARE ONLINE