Set against the backdrop of the impending World War II, the story explores Lavinia Gibbs' journey of self-discovery as she rejects societal norms and a loveless engagement in 1930s New York. Her move to Paris sparks a profound sexual and political awakening, challenging her identity and desires. The narrative intricately weaves themes of adultery and personal growth, showcasing Lavinia's transformation amidst the complexities of love and conflict.
From the acclaimed writer of Private Altars, comes a story of driving lyrical force set in Manhattan in the 1950s. When he is expelled from boarding school, Gabriel Gibbs is sent to live with his older brother Spencer in New York. Rather than a punishment, this becomes an exhilarating invitation to a dazzling world, from smoking cigars at the Plaza Hotel to weekend house parties filled with tennis and cocktails. It is in this heady atmosphere -- from white-gloved Park Avenue to literary Greenwich Village -- that Gabriel first glimpses the elusive Lillian Dawes. Free-spirited and mysterious, Lillian captures the imaginations of those in "all the best circles," including both brothers. As their lives entwine, so begins the powerful and poignant unraveling of innocence.