In the Deep Midwinter A Novel [Paperback]

November, 1949: In the aftermath of his brother James's death, Richard MacEwan's life is suddenly rocked by secrets involving his wife Sarah and daughter Anna. Among his bachelor brother's papers, Richard discovers a letter from Sarah that hints at an infidelity. Then there is Anna's affair with a married man, Charles Norden, which threatens to change her life forever. The story of Richard, Sarah, Anna, and Charles--along with the troubling legacy of James--is one of faith and doubt, profound moral and spiritual conflict, and the intricate bonds that hold families together.

The most absorbing, most intelligent and most wholly satisfying novel I've read in a good while--certainly since Richard Ford's Pulitzer-winningIndependence Day . . .A beautiful and haunting novel of character. Don Fry, Seattle Times

In The Deep Midwintercomes along at a time when people have stopped talking about The Great American Novel. That's too bad, because this just might be it. Kate Tuttle, The Boston Book Review

Robert Clark . . . has an ear for dialogue that's pitch perfect and an impeccable eye for detail . . . A moving and provocative novel,In the Deep Midwintermarks a fine debut. Ruth Coughlin, The New York Times Book Review

Clark unfolds the story's moral dramas with rare assurance and grownup charity . . .In the Deep Midwinternot only shows how love can lead to suffering, but also, more interestingly, points out how suffering can lead to love. Pico Iyer, Time

Robert Clarkis the author of a biography of James Beard,The Solace of Food, and a cultural history of the Columbia River,River of the West(Picador). He lives in Seattle, Washington.