59 pages • 1 hour read
Miranda Cowley HellerA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
400
Novel • Fiction
Cape Cod • Contemporary
2021
Adult
18+ years
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
432,634 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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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.
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.
432,634 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
400
Novel • Fiction
Cape Cod • Contemporary
2021
Adult
18+ years
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