A beautifully written, deeply human story about family, forgiveness, and the mysteries that connect us.
 
In And the Dark Sacred Night, Julia Glass crafts an elegant, layered novel about the choices that echo through generations. Set in New England, this story intertwines multiple lives and perspectives — revealing how secrets, grief, and grace can coexist within families.
 
When Kit Noonan, a 40-year-old father and art history professor, finds himself adrift and uncertain of his purpose, his wife urges him to confront the mystery of his own past — the identity of his father. His search leads him deep into the lives of others, including those first introduced in Three Junes and The Whole World Over. What begins as a personal journey soon becomes an exploration of how family, love, and time shape who we become.
 
Through her trademark empathy and lyrical prose, Glass examines the tensions between independence and belonging, uncovering how the truth, even when painful, can bring healing and renewal. Moving seamlessly between past and present, the novel celebrates the resilience of ordinary people and the beauty found in forgiveness.
 
Emotionally resonant and richly detailed, And the Dark Sacred Night is both a standalone story and a continuation of the world that won Julia Glass her National Book Award.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
From the acclaimed author of Three Junes.
Lush, literary writing with emotional honesty and insight.
Interconnected characters and generational storytelling.
A meditation on identity, memory, and forgiveness.
Perfect balance of realism, heart, and hope.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of Ann Patchett and Elizabeth Strout.
Readers who enjoy literary fiction exploring family and identity.
Book clubs seeking introspective, multi-layered narratives.
Anyone drawn to stories about connection, love, and belonging.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed And the Dark Sacred Night, you might also like:
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett — family secrets across generations.
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout — small-town lives and emotional truth.
The World According to Garp by John Irving — quirky, heartfelt family storytelling.