Some Bright Nowhere

A Novel

By: Ann Packer

Narrated by: Will Damron

AN OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK "Extraordinary. Books like this are why I love reading. This novel about marriage and friendship and life and dying is a marvel." —Elin Hilderbrand “Profound and moving and real.”—Andrew Sean Greer

“Some Bright Nowhere is a novel that draws you in deeply and holds you there. Wonderful.”—Meg Wolitzer

The bestselling, beloved author returns with her first novel in over a decade, an intimate and profoundly moving look at a long marriage and the ways in which a startling request can change a couple’s understanding of who they are, together and apart.

Eliot and his wife Claire have been happily married for nearly four decades. They’ve raised two children in their sleepy Connecticut town and have weathered the inevitable ups and downs of a long life spent together. But eight years after Claire was diagnosed with cancer, the end is near, and it's time to gather loved ones and prepare for the inevitable.

Over the years of Claire’s illness, Eliot has willingly—lovingly—shifted into the role of caregiver, appreciating the intimacy and tenderness that comes with a role even more layered and complex than the one he performed as a devoted husband. But as he focuses on settling into what will be their last days and weeks together, Claire makes an unexpected request that leaves him reeling. In a moment, his carefully constructed world is shattered.

What if your partner’s dying wish broke your heart? How well do we know the deepest desires of those we love dearly? As Eliot is confronted with this profound turning point in his marriage and his life, he grapples with the man and husband he’s been, and with the great unknowns of Claire’s last days.

Ann Packer makes a triumphant return with this powerful novel that is tender and raw, visceral and unexpected. Emotionally vibrant and complex, Some Bright Nowhere explores the profound gifts and unexpected costs of truly loving someone, and the fears and desires we experience as the end of life draws near.

It was like listening to the nightly news - sad and emotionless

I could not connect to the narrator or the characters. it was a struggle to get through this book

Love it or dislike it. I can’t decide.

I am torn over how I feel about this book. On one hand it is such a hard topic to enjoy listening. On the other hand it beautifully describes how to deal with such a difficult topic. It certainly made me think. I think it was definitely worth the read.

Wasn’t Sure

Poignant, layered and beautifully written…wasn’t sure at first, but glad I stuck with it

The request to have friends with her as she was dying.

I didn’t like how they treated the husband. But glad she wanted him back with her.

Goodbye

If we're lucky grief starts long before we're gone. We're all going from a grief illiterate society.