The Phoebe Variations - by Jane Hamilton (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World returns with a stunning coming-of-age novel about girls, mothers, and finding one's way in the world.

Seventeen-year-old Phoebe was never interested in her birth family. But on the cusp of her high school graduation, her adoptive mother, Greta, insists on a visit to meet her biological parents and siblings. The encounter is a jolt, a revelation that derails Phoebe.

With the help of her best friend Luna, Phoebe runs away--as far as their friend Patrick O'Connor's chaotic home, where she hopes to go unnoticed among his thirteen siblings. But when Phoebe asks Patrick to chop off her hip-length hair, she's suddenly transformed. Patrick's older brothers can't help but notice the striking, Peter Pan-like stranger who has suddenly appeared in their midst.

What starts as an adolescent rebellion soon spirals into a whirlwind of self-discovery and unexpected connections. As she grapples with her shifting identity and strained relationships, Phoebe must navigate the tumultuous road out of girlhood and chart a new and unknown course.

Review Quotes

"The Phoebe Variations is a glorious novel, which is no surprise--it was written by Jane Hamilton. I absolutely loved this exploration of family, friendship, and personal transformation, and was surprised and moved by Phoebe as she makes her way in the world."
--Meg Wolitzer, author of The Female Persuasion

"A new Jane Hamilton novel is always cause for celebration, and with her luminous The Phoebe Variations, it's time to shout and sing once more. Get ready to fall in love with the brilliant, mixed-up, loyal, and lovely Phoebe!"
--Ann Hood, author of The Stolen Child

"Gorgeous writing--wry and deep all at once. And full of the soft, relatable turns of phrase that make me swoon over a Hamiltonian sentence . . . A-pluses for poetic prose, for wit, for originality, for piano fervor. I loved visiting the crazy-wonderful house, over-populated with irresistible sons who shape Phoebe's life forever."
--Elinor Lipman, author of Every Tom, Dick and Harry

"Seventeen-year-old Phoebe is a masterfully compelling character, and her search for self--as she tries to distinguish performance from authenticity, guidance from manipulation--is beautifully rendered. Jane Hamilton has written another beguiling, devourable book."
--Julie Schumacher, author of Dear Committee Members

"Few writers have a body of work as varied, successful, and beautifully written as Jane Hamilton's. The latest addition to her oeuvre, The Phoebe Variations, is a wildly original story of complicated and unlikely family arrangements, the fluidity of identity, and just about every kind of love imaginable. Hamilton juggles her story lines and unforgettable characters with the humor, warmth, and flawless prose that will have readers giving Phoebe a standing ovation. Exactly the kind of life-affirming novel the world needs now."
--Stephen McCauley, author of My Ex-Life

"I loved this book. Phoebe's desperation, her bottomless invention in the face of it, is a joy to behold."
--Jacqueline Polzin, author of Brood

"A charming, hilarious, ruminative, and deeply felt homage to friendship, the dawn of sexual desire, and the pure joy of music. Phoebe is a completely real and utterly sympathetic character, and I would've followed her anywhere. I was compelled by every minute of this book."
--Lydia Conklin, author of Rainbow Rainbow

About the Author

Jane Hamilton is the author of seven critically acclaimed and bestselling novels, including The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World, both of which were Oprah's Book Club selections. Her nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Allure, Elle, and various anthologies. She's married to an apple farmer and lives in Wisconsin.