The author of The Dutch House, an internationally bestselling book that won the Women's Prize, presents an enticing collection of essays and memoir. Every narrative has a beginning and an end. Ann Patchett is a writer, thus she is aware of how her stories will turn out. However, life frequently takes unexpected turns. As she considers family, friendship, marriage, failure, success, and the meaning of it all, Patchett muses on this reality. Patchett, a literary alchemist, mines her experiences for gold to produce pieces that are both self-portraits and landscapes, each brimming with feeling and insightful.