The Paper Palace

A Novel

By: Miranda Cowley Heller

Narrated by: Nan McNamara

Reese's Book Club Pick

“A magnificent page-turner...as intoxicating as a summer night by the sea.” (Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, New York Times best-selling author of Good Company)

"It's been ages since I was so absorbed in a contemporary novel. I loved it." (Nick Hornby, New York Times best-selling author of Just Like You)

"A soulful debut that plumbs the depths of a midlife Sophie’s Choice." (People)

A story of summer, secrets, love, and lies: in the course of a singular day on Cape Cod, one woman must make a life-changing decision that has been brewing for decades.

“This house, this place, knows all my secrets.”

It is a perfect July morning, and Elle, a 50-year-old happily married mother of three, awakens at “The Paper Palace” - the family summer place which she has visited every summer of her life. But this morning is different: Last night Elle and her oldest friend, Jonas, crept out the back door into the darkness and had sex with each other for the first time, all while their spouses chatted away inside. Now, over the next 24 hours, Elle will have to decide between the life she has made with her genuinely beloved husband, Peter, and the life she always imagined she would have had with her childhood love, Jonas, if a tragic event hadn’t forever changed the course of their lives. As Heller colors in the experiences that have led Elle to this day, we arrive at her ultimate decision with all its complexity. Tender yet devastating, The Paper Palace considers the tensions between desire and dignity, the legacies of abuse, and the crimes and misdemeanors of families.

©2021 Miranda Cowley Heller (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Captivating debut...full of lush atmospheric details. This will keep the reader guessing all the way to the end.” (Publishers Weekly)

“The moody and atmospheric setting of the shadowy paths and ponds of the Back Woods is described in lush detail that makes a sharp contrast to the colder, sharper elements of Elle’s story.... From the first pages of her debut novel, Heller pulls no punches. Some of them just sneak up on you later on.” (Kirkus)

"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 best-selling author of The Interestings and The Female Persuasion)

Beautiful, Raw, Perfect summer read

Definitely a must read! The author takes you on a journey filled with vibrant memories from childhood to adulthood that are sure to resonate with you on lots of levels. The struggle for loving two beautiful people and overcoming the past that has haunted her is so well written that you feel like you have lived the life with her... you won’t be disappointed!

exemplary

I couldn't stop! finished it in 3 days...I felt like I was there with them through everything!

Could’ve been so good.

Loved the characters, the storylines, the setting, however, everything was disclosed during the book. Ending was just meh.

Wow, not my usual read.

For me this book started-off VERY slowly. But about a third of the way in, I was hooked. I did really enjoy the story- still not sure who I would recommend it to.

LOVED IT. every minute.

Narrator brought this story to LIFE, LOVED her ability to take on the characters

Excellent

I don’t usually write reviews but when I went to read the reviews before purchasing this book there were so many negative reviews I wasn’t sure I wanted to read. Many reviews said it was filthy and too graphic. I was also a little concerned about the topic of a cheating wife, not usually something I enjoy reading about.
This book met all my expectations of what I expect from Heller. She is thought provoking and leads you through true complex human emotions.
The abuse could definitely be a trigger for some, so that warning from other readers stands. The beginning of the book does start out with some scenes that might make you think it is going to hold up to the bad reviews but stick with it. It’s a beautiful story

Real life struggles made into a story

This book was a tiny bit confusing in the beginning with all the bouncing around in different time lines, but it all came together. The characters were relatablely real and quirky. Beautiful and gutwrenching memories linked to tell El's story of her life's loves. A good listen.

Lots to contemplate

This story had me thinking and rethinking shame, forgiveness, secrets, pride, loyalty and love the entire time.

I think it was a bit more explicit than I’d prefer but was a great story overall.

Never caught on for me

Very good scene descriptions and development of main character. The story never caught on for me. Performance helped carry me along.

Powerful and beautifully written

Wow! Powerful and beautifully written. Many unexpected twists and turns.
Warning for some- contains abuse. If you are listening not for young audiences.