Arcadia A Novel
Arcadia A Novel by Lauren Groff, published by Hachette Books on July 13, 2016, is a reprint edition comprising 320 pages. This narrative unfolds in the 1970s in western New York State, where a group of idealists establishes a commune at the decaying Arcadia House. The story explores the lives of its inhabitants, including Handy, the charismatic leader, and his wife Astrid, a midwife, as they navigate the complexities of communal living and personal relationships.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of family life and coming-of-age experiences as the characters evolve within the commune’s hopeful beginnings and eventual decline. The novel intricately weaves the personal journey of Bit, the son of Abe and Hannah, as he grapples with love and the challenges of stepping into the world beyond Arcadia. Groff’s prose captures the essence of this unique setting, offering insights into the ideals and realities of communal existence.
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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 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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