With this book I am once again following the enthusiastic and insistent recommendation of the author Ann Patchett. She has mentioned this novel on a number of occasions on Instagram, claiming that it will be 'big' - it's published this week. I've seen it mentioned elsewhere too so there's certainly a buzz about it and, having had an early copy myself, I can see why.

It is the story of a small community in Ohio, America from the time of the second world war, and through the subsequent 60 years. 

We are introduced to two young couples - Becky and Cal, Margaret and Felix. Their lives become intertwined and the consequences are ultimately devastating and far reaching. 

That's the story in a nutshell, but there are almost 500 pages here of glorious scene-setting and character study presenting flawed, fragile individuals as they navigate war, love and loss, marriage and family, ambition and fulfilment.

It's delicately done with humour, sensitivity and tenderness. The author's style has been likened to Dickens and to John Irving but I've recently read 'Hello Beautiful' by Ann Napolitano and there were similarities here for me in the almost fable-like depiction of people struggling to find sense in the world, making mistakes, seeking forgiveness and redemption, and just doing their best. Beautiful.