Commonwealth

by Ann Patchett
Commonwealth cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Contemporary Fiction
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  • ID: 5910
  • Added: 2025-10-25
  • Updated: 2025-10-25
  • ISBN: 9781408880364
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2017-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett is a masterfully crafted novel that explores the intricacies of family dynamics and the ripple effects of one impulsive act. The story begins in 1964 when Bert Cousins kisses Beverly Keating at her daughter's christening, an act that inadvertently binds two families together. The novel spans over two decades, revealing how this single moment shapes the lives of the Keating and Cousins families, particularly Franny Keating, who, as an adult, recounts her family's story to a famous author, Leon Posen. Praised for its wisdom and humanity, Commonwealth delves into the frailties of human behavior and the enduring impact of our choices. Ann Patchett's icy forensic gaze exposes the raw and often messy reality of family life, making this a compelling and thought-provoking read. The novel is celebrated for its life-affirming narrative and compulsively readable style, blending profound insights with a captivating story.

Reviews
Books Are My Favourite and Best · Clare · 2017-01-14
loved 5.00

The reviewer absolutely loved the book, calling it one of the best they read last year. They found it to be deeply resonant and well-written.

Clare from Books Are My Favourite and Best expresses her love for 'Commonwealth,' stating it is one of the best books she has read. She finds the novel to be deeply resonant, particularly given her own family experiences, which adds a personal layer to her appreciation. Clare praises Patchett's writing for its depth and ability to capture the complexities of family relationships. She highlights how the novel's exploration of different perspectives and the passage of time makes it a compelling and memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Absolutely loved this book, one of the best I read last year.

    It must have had quite a resonance for you given your family's experiences.

    The novel's exploration of different perspectives and the passage of time makes it compelling.

Fictionophile · 2016-10-02
eloquent 4.50

The novel is praised for its realism and eloquent depiction of everyday life. The reviewer finds the story to be deeply moving and well-crafted.

The reviewer from Fictionophile emphasizes that 'Commonwealth' is a novel that feels incredibly real, depicting the quiet drama of everyday life with eloquence. They appreciate how Patchett delves into the intricacies of family relationships, showing how small moments can have significant impacts. The reviewer finds the characters to be well-developed and the narrative to be both moving and authentic. They highlight the novel's ability to capture the essence of family dynamics over time, making it a deeply resonant read.

Quick quotes

    Commonwealth is a novel that is, above all else, real.

    It eloquently depicts the quiet drama that is everyday life.

    The story is deeply moving and well-crafted.

The Guardian · Stephanie Merritt · 2016-09-16
engaging 4.00

The novel is a compelling exploration of family dynamics over five decades, with a focus on the quiet drama of everyday life. The characters are well-drawn and the narrative is engaging.

Stephanie Merritt from The Guardian highlights how Ann Patchett's 'Commonwealth' masterfully weaves together the lives of two California families over five decades. The story begins with an adulterous affair that brings the families together, and Merritt appreciates how Patchett captures the complexities and nuances of family relationships. The reviewer notes that the novel is not just about the big moments but also the small, everyday dramas that shape our lives. Merritt finds the characters deeply human and relatable, making the story resonate on a personal level. The pacing and structure of the novel are praised for keeping the reader engaged throughout.

Quick quotes

    The novel is a compelling exploration of family dynamics over five decades.

    The characters are well-drawn and the narrative is engaging.

    Patchett captures the complexities and nuances of family relationships.

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