Whistler

Everyone needs an Eddy in their life! Patchett’s characters are so real they become dear friends that you never want to leave, but this sensitive and perfectly in tune conclusion sent them straight to my heart for permanent residence. ❤️

A chance encounter with her former stepfather at the Met leads Daphne Fuller to reexamine the brief period Eddie Triplett was a part of her life. Now in her fifties, Daphne hadn’t seen Eddie since she was nine years old when her mother banished him from their lives. Though their brief marriage was happy, underlying circumstances shattered any potential for prolonged marital bliss.With Eddie back in the picture, they reminisce about Daphne’s childhood, her relationship with her biological father, her mother’s current status, and the car accident they survived together. I loved how that past incident was evoked throughout the present-day narrative and even the story within the story that Eddie told Daphne while they were assessing their situation up-side-down in a wrecked car. I appreciated that many of the characters were literary – Daphne an English teacher, Eddie the editor, and her mother the publicist all had great appreciation for books. Overall, it was an exquisitely rendered portrait of a complex family, but that’s Patchett for you. Absolutely perfect storytelling.

I can't say enough about this book! Truly enjoyable from one page to the next. It is a deep dive into the challenges of love and family, and the rewards that come when we face down those challenges with an honest, open heart. It is surely with an honest, open heart that Ann Patchett wrote this book, which is why it is so stellar. An absolute joy to read--every word, every scene, every character--completely perfect!!

I throughly enjoyed every moment of reading this book and had to slow myself down as not to read it too fast and have it be over. The story will warm your heart and make you reflect on your own childhood and it is just a fabulous work of fiction. I loved the characters especially Eddie Triplett and of course Daphne and loved the relationship they shared and how it was explained. I also loved the back and forth timelines. As I said very sentence of every page was beyond excellent. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. And the cover of the book and the name of the book it’s perfection!

I loved every moment of this book. Every character was so real. And the Whistler story was perfect. I will always let people know they are dead, for real, and it’s time to release themselves and move into their next adventure.