On April 18, 1906, San Francisco was jolted by a colossal earthquake, shaking the city just before dawn and setting off a raging inferno. Lives were lost, and others were forever altered as they rose from the ashes.

Sophie Whalen, a young Irish immigrant, seizes an opportunity to escape the confines of a New York tenement. Responding to a mail-order bride advertisement, she agrees to marry a man she knows nothing about—Martin Hocking, a widower residing in San Francisco. Despite Martin’s enigmatic charm and striking looks, Sophie becomes fond of Kat, his silent five-year-old daughter. However, Martin’s peculiar behavior raises unsettling suspicions about her newfound circumstances.

The turning point comes on an early spring evening when a stranger arrives at her door, setting off a series of transformative events. Sophie unravels hidden connections to two other women: one, pretty and expecting, stands on her doorstep, while the other, hundreds of miles away in the American Southwest, mourns the loss of everything she held dear.

The destinies of these three women converge on the brink of the catastrophic earthquake, propelling them onto a hazardous journey that will test their strength, determination, and their shared belief that love can triumph over fear.

Penned by the acclaimed author of “The Last Year of the War” and “As Bright as Heaven,” this gripping novel explores the bonds of friendship, maternal love, and the formidable power of female solidarity.

Join us for a captivating discussion of this enthralling tale in our Book Discussion Group. These groups, facilitated by The New York Public Library staff, take place at various libraries throughout the city and are open to everyone. Dive into the world of literature and join the conversation!

Time: 11:00 am — 12:00 pm EST

Free!