Some Bright Nowhere

A Novel

AN OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK

"Extraordinary. Books like this are why I love reading. This novel about marriage and friendship and life and dying is a marvel." —Elin Hilderbrand

“Profound and moving and real.”—Andrew Sean Greer

“Some Bright Nowhere is a novel that draws you in deeply and holds you there. Wonderful.”—Meg Wolitzer

The bestselling, beloved author returns with her first novel in over a decade, an intimate and profoundly moving look at a long marriage and the ways in which a startling request can change a couple’s understanding of who they are, together and apart.

Eliot and his wife Claire have been happily married for nearly four decades. They’ve raised two children in their sleepy Connecticut town and have weathered the inevitable ups and downs of a long life spent together. But eight years after Claire was diagnosed with cancer, the end is near, and it's time to gather loved ones and prepare for the inevitable.

Over the years of Claire’s illness, Eliot has willingly—lovingly—shifted into the role of caregiver, appreciating the intimacy and tenderness that comes with a role even more layered and complex than the one he performed as a devoted husband. But as he focuses on settling into what will be their last days and weeks together, Claire makes an unexpected request that leaves him reeling. In a moment, his carefully constructed world is shattered.

What if your partner’s dying wish broke your heart? How well do we know the deepest desires of those we love dearly? As Eliot is confronted with this profound turning point in his marriage and his life, he grapples with the man and husband he’s been, and with the great unknowns of Claire’s last days.

Ann Packer makes a triumphant return with this powerful novel that is tender and raw, visceral and unexpected. Emotionally vibrant and complex, Some Bright Nowhere explores the profound gifts and unexpected costs of truly loving someone, and the fears and desires we experience as the end of life draws near.

Powerful

The narrator is excellent. This is a heartbreaking but rich story with nuanced, complex characters and relationships.

Wasn’t Sure

Poignant, layered and beautifully written…wasn’t sure at first, but glad I stuck with it

Forgiveness and includisn

Interesting story. Made me aware of how entitled family members are around death forgetting that the person dying is going through their own process and should be able to How they want to do that. Also, the impact and the importance of dying.

Felt like it didn’t tell a story

I love the narrator. I love the idea of the book. But it felt like I spent 2 days peering into a family bicker. And that’s it? The story itself didn’t progress. No lesson was learned, no character development really? I don’t know how to describe it other that watching as a fly on the wall for a few days. It felt like a rough draft. There also were random scenes interspersed that had nothing to do with the story? And felt out of left field. The raccoons? The book from the table? Just felt like this had so much more potential than it ended up being.

Very poweful

Unexpected plot and character development. Bravely conceived, beautifully written.
Not for the faint of heart.