In 'The Guest Book,' Sarah Blake weaves a multi-generational tale that explores the dark secrets of an old family estate off the coast of Maine. As the story unfolds, the lives of the wealthy and privileged bear the weight of the past, revealing hidden truths that challenge their perceived ideals. Through the lens of history, race, and belonging, the novel sparks questions about privilege and the foundations of family legacy. Each character's struggle with identity brings an emotional depth that resonates with the reader. What happens when the past refuses to stay buried, and how far will one go to protect their family's narrative?
By Sarah Blake
Published: 2019
""There are stories in the silence, whispers of the past that echo through the spaces we leave behind.""
Instant New York Times Bestseller Longlisted for Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence 2020 New England Society Book Award Winner for Fiction “The Guest Book is monumental in a way that few novels dare attempt.” —The Washington Post The thought-provoking new novel by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Blake An exquisitely written, poignant family saga that illuminates the great divide, the gulf that separates the rich and poor, black and white, Protestant and Jew. Spanning three generations, The Guest Book deftly examines the life and legacy of one unforgettable family as they navigate the evolving social and political landscape from Crockett’s Island, their family retreat off the coast of Maine. Blake masterfully lays bare the memories and mistakes each generation makes while coming to terms with what it means to inherit the past.
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“"There are stories in the silence, whispers of the past that echo through the spaces we leave behind."”
The Guest Book
By Sarah Blake
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Sarah Blake is an acclaimed American author known for her lyrical prose and thematic depth. She is the author of several celebrated works, including 'The Postmistress,' which was a New York Times bestseller and adapted into a feature film. Other notable titles include 'The Guest Book' and 'Naomi and the Wolf.' Blake often explores complex characters and relationships, weaving historical contexts with personal narratives to engage readers deeply. Her writing is characterized by its emotional resonance and vivid imagery.
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SHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILEY'S WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 'A delicious, important novel' The Times 'Alert, alive and gripping' Independent 'Some novels tell a great story and others make you change the way you look at the world. Americanah does both.' Guardian As teenagers in a Lagos secondary school, Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love. Their Nigeria is under military dictatorship, and people are fleeing the country if they can. Ifemelu--beautiful, self-assured--departs for America to study. She suffers defeats and triumphs, finds and loses relationships and friendships, all the while feeling the weight of something she never thought of back home: race. Obinze--the quiet, thoughtful son of a professor--had hoped to join her, but post-9/11 America will not let him in, and he plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Thirteen years later, Obinze is a wealthy man in a newly democratic Nigeria, while Ifemelu has achieved success as a writer of an eye-opening blog about race in America. But when Ifemelu returns to Nigeria, and she and Obinze reignite their shared passion--for their homeland and for each other--they will face the toughest decisions of their lives. Fearless, gripping, spanning three continents and numerous lives, Americanah is a richly told story of love and expectation set in today's globalized world.
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