Commonwealth

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The acclaimed author, a winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize, presents a captivating story of how an unexpected romantic encounter alters the lives of two families forever. One Sunday in Southern California, Bert Cousins crashes Franny Keating’s christening party and kisses her mother, Beverly, leading to the unraveling of their marriages and the merging of their families. Spanning five decades, the narrative delves into the impact of this chance meeting on the four parents and six children involved. The Keating and Cousins children, spending summers together in Virginia, develop a deep bond rooted in their shared disillusionment with their parents and the genuine affection that blossoms among them. When Franny, in her twenties, embarks on an affair with renowned author Leon Posen and shares her family’s story, her siblings’ childhood becomes the foundation for his successful book. This revelation forces them to confront their losses, guilt, and the strong connections they share. Blending humor and heartbreak, the tale serves as a meditation on inspiration, interpretation, and the ownership of stories, ultimately revealing the profound ties of love and responsibility that unite us all.