The Paper Palace: The No.1 New York Times Bestseller and Reese Witherspoon Bookclub Pick

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Elle’s rumminations to stay in her marriage or run off with Jonas is complex. Author Heller weaves in the complications of life, both emotional and pragmatically. Marriage is complicated, life is fluid, choices are complicated. I think I’ve made it pretty clear that the writing style is right up my street! This author has a very special and incredibly unique way of thinking. In the multigenerational story, we see the reverberations of the choices made by grandparents and parents, and the scars they have left on Elle herself. In what way do those scars reveal themselves, and is it possible to break the cycle? Ali Smith’s Autumn is certainly one of them. There was a particular point where I felt like I was writing poetry instead of a story, and then I read Ali Smith and thought: “Anything’s OK.”

The book really touches on bad decisions made to try and protect the people you love. It’s especially poignant when it’s the young trying to protect their elders. The story is raw, graphic, disturbing, full of wit, and, quite frankly, just wonderful. This novel is down to earth, humble, warm. I laughed to myself a number of times throughout the novel; the protagonist’s mother, Wallace, is the epitome of dry humour and wit.Tightly woven and immediate, The Paper Palace takes us deep into a vivid summer landscape, a family, and a private, longstanding love story, and holds us there from start to finish Meg Wolitzer, New York Times bestselling author of The Wife and The Female Persuasion I noticed all the water symbolism in the book, but I hadn’t really noticed the drownings until the commenters who believe Elle committed suicide pointed it out. I thought it was beautiful before I even got to the above quote...and then I loved it all that much more. I LOVE hummingbirds so much I have some tattooed on my body. But I digress.

When Elle is in her 20s, she is almost mugged in London. The mugger wants her to hand over the green ring glass that Jonas gave her. A Brit called Peter rescues her (and her ring) and they start dating. The novel is called The Paper Palace. Why? What parallels exist between the camp and the people who inhabit it? Secrets are at the heart of the novel: the acts that create them, the decisions to keep them hidden. What is the outcome of keeping secrets and how do we see that play out within the novel? Why do you think Elle keeps the secrets that she does from her family? From Peter? Think of a time when you kept a secret. Was it harmful or helpful?teasers’ ….if you will. If they intrigue you ….then there is a good chance this novel would be exciting for you to read. Elle’s relationships with both men are complex and multi-faceted. Peter is a loving and devoted husband and father, but Elle feels that their relationship has become routine and stagnant. On the other hand, Jonas is the man who has always been there for Elle, and she has a deep connection with him. However, Jonas is not a part of her daily life, and Elle is unsure if he is the right choice for her. It’sglorious and gorgeous. I was absolutely immersed and gripped andI’m devastated to have finished it.” —Marian Keyes, author of Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married Your grandfather, Malcolm Cowley, was a poet and critic , your husband is a screenwriter , and your sister-in-law is Zoë Heller . Is belonging to such a literary family freeing or inhibiting?

Later that night, she and Wallace discuss Leo. Elle tells her mother that it wasn’t Leo who raped her, but Conrad. Wallace tells Elle that there are “some swims you do regret.“The story begins with Elle beginning her day after consummating a life-long crush relationship with a man, Jonas, who she’s known since she’s been a child. Elle and Jonas came to this family compound, named The Paper Palace, since they were children. Elle is two years older than Jonas, which is not a big difference in age now that they are adults. But as children, he was a mere boy. The beginning scenes are a bit “racy” in description of their tryst. Author Heller is direct. This is an extramarital affair.