The Most
The Most by Jessica Anthony, published by Little, Brown in 2024, is a psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of family life. This edition spans 144 pages and is presented in English. The narrative unfolds on November 3, 1957, as Kathleen Beckett, a housewife and former tennis champion, makes a life-altering decision to swim in her apartment complex’s pool, choosing solitude over her family’s church outing.
Readers will find a tightly woven tale that explores the intricacies of a mid-century marriage, revealing the unspoken truths that lie beneath a seemingly perfect surface. The story is set against the backdrop of significant historical events, such as the launch of Sputnik 2, adding depth to the characters’ experiences. As the plot progresses over the course of eight hours, it invites reflection on the psychological dimensions of personal choices and familial expectations.
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Longlisted for the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction. One of Time‘s 100 Must-Read Books of 2024. One of the Washington Post‘s Best Books of 2024.
From “one of our most thrilling and singular innovators on the page” (Laura Van Den Berg), a tightly wound, consuming tale about a 1950s American housewife who goes for a swim in her apartment complex’s swimming pool one morning…and won’t come out.
It’s November 3, 1957. As Sputnik 2 launches into space, carrying Laika, the doomed Soviet dog, a couple begin their day. Virgil Beckett, an insurance salesman, isn’t particularly happy in his job but he fulfills the role. Kathleen Beckett, once a promising tennis champion with a key shot up her sleeve, is now a mother and homemaker. On this unseasonably warm Sunday, Kathleen decides not to join her family at church. Instead, she unearths her old, red bathing suit and descends into the deserted swimming pool of their apartment complex in Newark, Delaware. And then she won’t come out.
A riveting, single-sitting read set over the course of eight hours, The Most masterly breaches the shimmering surface of a seemingly idyllic mid-century marriage, immersing us in the unspoken truth beneath.
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