Summer vacation on the island was supposed to be a restorative time for Kate, who'd lost her close friend Elizabeth in a sudden accident. But when she inherits a trunk of Elizabeth's journals, they reveal a woman far different than the cheerful wife and mother Kate had known. The complicated portrait of Elizabeth-her upbringing, her marriage, and journey to motherhood-makes Kate question not just their friendship, but her most fundamental beliefs about loyalty and deception at a time when she is uncertain in her own marriage. When an unfamiliar man's name appears in the pages, Kate realizes the extent of what she didn't know about her friend-including where she was really going when she died. Set in the anxious post–September 11th summer of 2002, this story of two women-their friendship, their marriages, private ambitions, and fearsconsiders the aspects of ourselves we show and those we conceal, and the repercussions of our choices.
"I loved this bittersweet novel, which manages to be both a compelling mystery and a wise meditation on friendship, marriage, and motherhood in an age of great anxiety. Bernier will have you thinking about her characters long after you've turned the final page."
"A smart, poignant novel about the bittersweet choices women make and the secrets they keep. This is one of those rare novels that's so real you forget it's written; I literally carried it around with me, and I missed the characters when I was done."
"An absorbing, bittersweet novel that examines the vast grey area between protecting and deceiving the ones we love."
"Bernier's excellent storytelling skills will keep you pondering long after the final page."
"Bernier masterfully eases open the doors that guard our deepest fears and, against a backdrop of a New England beach vacation, sweeps in fresh air and hope."
"Thanks to incredibly realistic characters, this smart, bittersweet tale brilliantly captures what it means to be a mom, wife, and friend."
"Moments of beauty and depth of spirit will appeal to readers interested in secrets revealed."
"Debut novelist Bernier's thoughtful observations on friendship, identity, motherhood, work, and marriage wrap around the mystery of Elizabeth, whose journal writing enlivens the book and gives readers much to think about. This literary novel should be a favorite of book groups and have broad appeal beyond."
"Bernier successfully explores how women manage to balance so much in their everyday life and the complicated emotions (guilt, frustration, fear) that go along with being a working mother...The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. is an important read for anyone who dares to ask just how well we really know our friends and neighbors, and what those discoveries mean about us."
