THE WORLD BELOW

More about the book

From the author of While I Was Gone , this stunning novel explores the hidden tensions in marriages and families, revealing the hopes and regrets of women. Set in Maine in 1919, Georgia Rice, who has cared for her family since her mother's death, is diagnosed with tuberculosis at nineteen and sent to a sanitarium. Freed from her responsibilities, she uncovers a world of youth and meets a doomed young man who becomes her lover. In the present day, Catherine Hubbard, Georgia's granddaughter, moves into her grandmother's old house after a divorce. While sorting through her own life, Cath discovers the true story of Georgia's life and marriage, revealing the misunderstandings that shaped her grandmother's enduring love. Through the intertwined tales of these two women—Georgia, a country doctor's wife with a haunting past, and Cath, a twice-divorced schoolteacher seeking answers—Miller crafts a narrative rich in emotional depth. Despite their different eras, both women face similar struggles: motherless at a young age, navigating complex relationships, and confronting the nature of intimacy and love. The World Below beautifully captures the hidden truths of our lives and the lost hopes of the past. A masterful work from a beloved storyteller. From the Hardcover edition.