Book Brief
384
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1960s
2019
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall follows the intersecting lives of two couples, Charles and Lily Barrett and James and Nan MacNally, as they navigate faith, marriage, parenthood, and hardships over 17 years in 1950s and 1960s America. They confront personal struggles and societal challenges, with themes including faith versus doubt and the search for meaning and purpose. The book discusses pregnancy loss, illegal abortions, sexual harassment and assault, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol addiction, depression, and outdated autism treatment approaches.
Contemplative
Emotional
Inspirational
Melancholic
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
34,124 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Cara Wall's The Dearly Beloved has been praised for its compelling character development and insightful exploration of faith, marriage, and friendship. Critics appreciate the nuanced storytelling and emotional depth. However, some find its pace slow and the narrative structure fragmented. Overall, it's regarded as a thoughtful and profound read.
Who Should Read The Dearly Beloved?
Readers who enjoy The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall are likely fans of character-driven, literary fiction that explores complex relationships and spiritual themes. They may appreciate books like Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza. Ideal for those who savor introspective and emotionally nuanced storytelling.
34,124 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
384
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1960s
2019
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.