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59 pages 1 hour read

Miranda Cowley Heller

The Paper Palace

Miranda Cowley HellerFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Book Brief

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Miranda Cowley Heller

The Paper Palace

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Cape Cod • Contemporary

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller centers on Elle Bishop, a 50-year-old mother of three, who spends a transformative summer at her family’s Cape Cod summer home, "The Paper Palace." Torn between her stable life with her husband Peter and her enduring love for childhood friend Jonas, Elle re-evaluates her choices after an illicit encounter. The novel intricately weaves through Elle's present and past, revealing the secrets and events that have shaped her life and relationships. It also explores complex and potentially distressing themes such as abuse.

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.0

432,634 ratings

69%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Miranda Cowley Heller's debut novel, The Paper Palace, is lauded for its evocative prose and rich emotional depth, capturing the complexities of love and family. Set against a vividly depicted Cape Cod backdrop, the narrative skillfully intertwines past and present. Some critics note that the pacing can be uneven, and the protagonist's choices might frustrate readers. Overall, it’s a compelling read for fans of literary fiction.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Paper Palace?

Fans of emotionally intricate, character-driven narratives will relish The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller. Readers who appreciate the deeply entwined familial themes found in titles like The Dutch House by Ann Patchett or the nostalgic storytelling of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens will find it compelling.

4.0

432,634 ratings

69%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Cape Cod • Contemporary

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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