Arcadia
Arcadia by Lauren Groff, published by Voice on October 2, 2012, is a literary exploration of a commune founded in the 1970s in western New York State. The narrative centers around Arcadia House, a decaying mansion where a group of idealists strives to live off the land. Through the lives of its inhabitants, including Handy, the charismatic leader, and his wife Astrid, a midwife, the story unfolds from the commune’s hopeful beginnings to its eventual decline, all while focusing on the experiences of Bit, the son of Abe and Hannah, as he navigates love and the world beyond Arcadia.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of life within the commune, as Groff delves into the complexities of relationships and the pursuit of utopia. The characters, each with their unique roles, contribute to the communal dream, while the narrative captures the vibrancy of their daily lives and the challenges they face. Arcadia presents themes of idealism and the passage of time, inviting reflection on the fragility of dreams and the realities of human connection. This first edition spans 320 pages and is written in English, offering a profound look at the interplay between aspiration and reality.
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New York Times Bestseller
“Timeless and vast… The raw beauty of Ms. Groff’s prose is one of the best things about Arcadia. But it is by no means this book’s only kind of splendor.” –Janet Maslin, The New York Times
“Even the most incidental details vibrate with life ï¿1⁄2 Arcadia wends a harrowing path back to a fragile, lovely place you can believe in.” –Ron Charles, The Washington Post
In the fields of western New York State in the 1970s, a few dozen idealists set out to live off the land, founding a commune centered on the grounds of a decaying mansion called Arcadia House. Arcadia follows this romantic utopian dream from its hopeful start through its heyday. Arcadia’s inhabitants include Handy, the charismatic leader; his wife, Astrid, a midwife; Abe, a master carpenter; Hannah, a baker and historian; and Abe and Hannah’s only child, Bit. While Arcadia rises and falls, Bit, too, ages and changes. He falls in love with Helle, Handy’s lovely, troubled daughter. And eventually he must face the world beyond Arcadia.
In Arcadia, Groff displays her literary gifts to stunning effect.
“Fascinating.” —People (****)
“It’s not possible to write any better without showing off.” –Richard Russo, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Empire Falls
“Dazzling.” —Vogue
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