Day

In Day, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham takes us into the intricate tapestry of family dynamics, exploring the nuances of love, loss, and resilience in an ever-evolving world. Set against the backdrop of Brooklyn's brownstone charm, the novel spans the course of three pivotal years, from 2019 to 2021, each marked by profound personal and social transformation.

April 5th, 2019: Within the warmly-lit rooms of their Brooklyn home, Dan and Isabel grapple with the quiet disintegration of their marriage. Their domestic life, once seemingly idyllic, is overshadowed by hidden desires and unspoken grievances. Both spouses find themselves drawn, inexplicably, to Isabel’s younger brother, Robbie. Robbie, the free-spirited family member residing in the attic loft, is navigating the emotional aftermath of a recent breakup, seeking solace in his online persona. As the family braces for his impending departure, tensions rise, sparking a fear that the fragile bonds holding them together may finally unravel. Meanwhile, their children, Nathan and Violet, teeter between innocence and the harsh realities of their household's changing landscape.

April 5th, 2020: The pandemic casts a long shadow, transforming the once-comforting confines of their home into a suffocating cage. Young Violet becomes gripped by fear, her faith shattered as she scrambles to protect her family from invisible threats. Communication between Isabel and Dan deteriorates into a series of guarded exchanges and simmering silences. Far from home, stranded alone in a remote Icelandic cabin, Robbie faces his solitude and the introspective journey it compels, sustained only by the comforting allure of his secret Instagram escapades.

April 5th, 2021: As the world begins to heal, so too must the family. They emerge into a post-crisis reality, confronting the scars left by isolation and loss, while grappling with newfound truths. In this delicate resurrection, Cunningham weaves a poignant narrative of hope, challenging readers to consider the transformative power of human connection and the possibility of redefining familial love beyond traditional constraints.

Day is a riveting exploration of the complexities of familial love and the bonds that either tether or liberate. Michael Cunningham deftly crafts a narrative that is both intimate and universally resonant, a testament to his mastery as a storyteller. As renowned authors Colm Tóibín, Colum McCann, and Ocean Vuong attest, this novel is a quietly stunning achievement, promising to leave an indelible mark on its readers.

According to Andrew Sean Greer, acclaimed author of Less, "Cunningham is one of our great American writers, and here is another masterpiece. Read it and be changed."