Arcadia
Arcadia by Lauren Groff, published by William Heinemann in 2012, is a lyrical exploration of a commune founded in the 1970s in western New York State. This first edition spans 304 pages and delves into the lives of a group of idealists who establish their home at the decaying Arcadia House. The narrative follows the rise and fall of this utopian dream, focusing on the experiences of Bit, the child of two commune members, as he navigates his attachment to this agrarian lifestyle and the complexities of growing up.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of characters, including Handy, a musician and leader, and Astrid, a midwife, each contributing to the communal life and its challenges. As Bit matures, he grapples with his love for Arcadia and the necessity of forging his own identity outside its confines. The themes of family life and coming of age are intricately woven into the story, providing a nuanced look at the interplay between personal aspirations and communal ideals.
Official synopsis Publisher
From the bestselling author of The Monsters of Templeton comes a lyrical and gripping story of a great American dream.
In the fields of western New York State in the 1970s, a few dozen idealists set out to live off the land, founding what would become a commune centered on the grounds of a decaying mansion called Arcadia House. Arcadia follows this romantic, rollicking, and tragic utopian dream from its hopeful start through its heyday and after.
Arcadia’s inhabitants include Handy, a musician and the group’s charismatic leader; Astrid, a midwife; Abe, a master carpenter; Hannah, a baker and historian; and Abe and Hannah’s only child, the book’s protagonist, Bit, who is born soon after the commune is created.
While Arcadia rises and falls, Bit, too, ages and changes. If he remains in love with the peaceful agrarian life in Arcadia and deeply attached to its residents – including Handy and Astrid’s lithe and deeply troubled daughter, Helle – how can Bit become his own man? How will he make his way through life and the world outside of Arcadia where he must eventually live?
With Arcadia, her first novel since her lauded debut, The Monsters of Templeton, Lauren Groff establishes herself not only as one of the most gifted young fiction writers at work today but also as one of our most accomplished literary artists.
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