THE PAPER PALACE

by Miranda Cowley Heller

I don’t think I have ever read a pick from Reece Witherspoon’s book club that I haven’t enjoyed, and The Paper Palace is no exception. It almost feels like a darker version of Every Summer After, which I reviewed last month (read review here). So if you like your beach reads with  a bit of trauma, this one is for you.

Set primarily in the back woods of Cape Cod, the book begins with the revelation that Elle, fifty years old and happily married with three kids, has just slept with Jonas, her best friend from her childhood summers at the Paper Palace, her family’s ironically named cabin. The rest of the book alternates between two timelines. The majority is the story of Elle’s summers on the pond and her family’s turbulent history with divorce, remarriage and even some sexual abuse. The rest of the story is a detailed account of the agonizing 24 hours after Elle and Jonas sleep together and their ultimate decision whether or not to blow up their lives to be together.

Because of the darker aspects of the story, I’m not sure I could classify this as a “fun” read. But I definitely tore through it, choosing it over picking a new TV show for almost a week. Heller is an excellent storyteller and her characters feel very flawed and real. I rooted for them despite their issues and was thoroughly entertained. (Lily)