"In the beginning of this epistolary book, we hear from Seth Edwards, a hungry young writer/editor who dreams of literary greatness. Hes done all the right things-attended a prestigious graduate program, moved to New York City to work in publishing-but feels further than ever from the joy he used to associate with the written word. Seth decides that what will boost his faltering career and writing life alike is connecting with Edna Sloane, the author he once idolized. Edna Sloane was a promising novelist at the top of her game. Her debut novel was an instant classic as well as a huge commercial success, vaulting her into the heady echelons of 1980s literary New York City-when she suddenly disappeared, and was eventually largely forgotten. Seth searches high and low to track her down, and finally makes contact in an unexpected way. From that point on, they write to one another, becoming closer than either of them could have imagined, revealing more and more as they get to know each other. Edna shares that the pressures of balancing her literary life with her personal life proved to be too much for her to manage.

Her books editor had taken advantage of her in ways she couldnt fully parse at the time, and then her husband took advantage of her in his own ways. Eventually, she realized she couldnt be either of their imagined Edna Sloanes and chose to disappear from the public eye until she could figure out how to be a more authentic version of herself. Seth and Edna circle each other, getting closer and closer, each confused by the intensity of feeling their exchange creates. Then, Seths professional life reaches an inflection point just as hes finally convinced Edna to share her writing with the world again, and in a movement that echoes the plot of Ednas famous novel, he seems to trade fates with Edna-she emerges with a stunning new book, and he disappears from his own life"--.