Bloomsbury has announced the release of Whistler, a new novel by internationally celebrated author Ann Patchett, promising readers a deeply reflective story about family, memory and the lasting power of love.

Patchett, regarded as one of the most distinguished voices in contemporary American fiction, is the recipient of the Orange Prize for Fiction, the PEN/Faulkner Award, England’s Women’s Prize and the National Humanities Medal. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, she has achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. Her previous novel, Tom Lake, sold over 1.3 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 30 languages.

A Chance Encounter That Rekindles the Past

In Whistler, the story centres on Daphne Fuller, now 53, who unexpectedly comes face to face with her former stepfather, Eddie Triplett, during a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with her husband, Jonathan. Eddie had been married to Daphne’s mother for just over a year when she was nine years old, but a defining incident abruptly changed the course of both their lives.

Their reunion, decades later, collapses time and revives a bond that, though brief, left an indelible mark on them both. As they reconnect, Patchett weaves a narrative about the choices people make — and those made on their behalf — and the small yet transformative moments that shape a lifetime.

A Meditation on Love and Loss

Described as luminous and intimate, Whistler reflects on bravery, memory and the inevitability of loss. At its core, the novel examines what it means to be truly known by another person, even for a fleeting period, and how that recognition can alter the course of a life.

Patchett is the author of nine novels, three works of non-fiction and two children’s books. Her acclaimed works include Bel Canto, The Dutch House, State of Wonder and The Magician’s Assistant. In addition to her literary achievements, she co-founded Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2011 and has become a prominent advocate for independent bookstores, frequently appearing on NPR, PBS NewsHour and the TODAY Show.

With Whistler, Patchett once again reinforces her reputation as a master storyteller, delivering a quietly powerful narrative about memory, connection and the endurance of love.