Eden Close - by Anita Shreve (Paperback)

About the Book

When Andrew returns to his hometown to attend his mother's funeral, he is drawn once more into the legacy of beautiful Eden Close next door. Now, 17 years after a tragedy left Eden blind and her father dead, Andrew uncovers the truth about Eden's past and his own attachment to her. A compelling, modern gothic tale of edgy small-town emotions, lingering obsession, and romantic salvation told in clear, taut prose.

Book Synopsis

A compelling tale of edgy, small-town emotions, lingering obsession, and romantic salvation from acclaimed novelist Anita Shreve.

Andrew, after many years, returns to his hometown to attend his mother's funeral. Planning to remain only a few days, he is drawn into the tragic legacy of his childhood friend and beautiful girl next door, Eden Close. An adopted child, Eden had learned to avoid the mother who did not want her and to please the father who did. She also aimed to please Andrew and his friends, first by being one of the boys and later by seducing them. Then one hot night, Andrew was awakened by gunshots and piercing screams from the next farm: Mr. Close had been killed and Eden blinded.

Now, seventeen years later, Andrew begins to uncover the grisly story--to unravel the layers of thwarted love between the husband, wife, and tormented girl. And as the truth about Eden's past comes to light, so too does Andrew's strange and binding attachment to her reveal itself.

Review Quotes

"Anita Shreve has made the form of the modern gothic novel yield some fine literary rewards." -- The New York Times
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