The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

 

4*

Trigger warnings: rape, grief, child abuse, death, murder

I just don’t know how to feel about this book. On the one hand, it’s beautifully written, full of metaphors and descriptions of the harsh beauty of Cape Cod. On the other hand, there are more tragedies and trigger points than I want to bear, especially given how ugly our real world is at the moment. We are in an unprecedented time where the vileness of humanity is on full display, so it’s especially painful to read about fictional monsters who prey on children and disheartening to witness both the toxic masculinity and the subjugation of women that breed this kind of monster. It’s also very upsetting to read about selfish parents who betray their children by not protecting them or go out of their way to put themselves or their partner’s needs first.

At its heart, this is a love triangle that lay dormant for decades thanks to the shame and guilt generated by one momentary, deadly decision. When absolution finally comes, our female protagonist Elle must choose between two men she loves: Jonas, a man she’s known since childhood who shares her deepest secrets or her steady, kind, funny husband Peter (and 3 children) who deserve her loyalty. Either way, she will have regrets and will cause pain to herself and those she loves. The fact that the author leaves the ending ambiguous after making us suffer along with the main characters seems somewhat cruel.

In addition to a romance, this is also a family saga that is chock full of dysfunction: rape and assault, divorce, child abuse, abandonment, premature death, victim shaming and so much more. The steady stream of disturbingly emotional and graphic vignettes wears on the soul and brings up memories of my own life, some that have striking parallels. Even the simplest things, like the old “important phone numbers” list (heavily edited over the years), the Sunfish sailing classes, the changing social landscape of the beach enclave, and the paper walls of the family cabins (thus “The Paper Palace”), remind me of my childhood summers in Rhode Island and my regrets over losing that special place.

Ultimately, this book is a worthwhile read because it doesn’t allow you to coast through it. It wraps its tentacles around you, squeezing out emotional reactions that want to remain hidden. Given that it’s the newest Reese Witherspoon book club selection, it will have an eager audience, but it’s essential that readers be warned about potential triggers because even the healthiest beings will be wrung out by the end.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Riverhead Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.