Ann Patchett - Whistler

Ann Patchett's novel Whistler starts with Daphne Fuller and her husband Jonathan visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. An older man starts following them - and Daphne realizes that this man is one of her stepfathers, called Eddie Triplett. She was nine when her mother and Eddie were married for only a short period of time and he disappeared from her and her sister's lives quite suddenly shortly after a mysterious accident. Eddie accidentally drove off the side of a remote road when he took Daphne out to watch the stars far away from the city. The two of them were trapped in the car for a long night before they could be rescued. 
After being apart for more than 40 years they catch up and realize that the events of that night are not only important to them but tied a connection between them that is easily renewed today. Together, they reflect on what happened in their lives, what choices they made, good and bad ones, and what impact other people's decisions had on them. In remembering and retelling the details of the accident they reconnect not only to themselves but also to other members of their family. Embedded within the plot is a tale that Eddie tells young Daphne to distract her. It is one he had as a book proposal on his desk. Being an editor he knows the power of stories but is not sure if this one - the story of Whistler, a special horse - was a good choice in the situation they are in. Whistler's owner suffers an accident too and is close to dying. While lying outdoors, unable to move (just like Eddie), she sees her favourite dog, an old friend and other people - all of them being dead in real life. Although it is a sad tale there is a good ending to it because of Whistler, the great horse. 
While Daphne still has to tell her family the last part of Eddie's and her accident story, Eddie's health takes a bad turn due to leukemia and his old age. Loss, grief and death are recurring themes in Whistler but also love and being known by a person are important topics. 
It is not an overly complicated story but the way Ann Patchett intertwines the two perspectives with Eddie and Daphne's relationship then and now is extremely well done. There are symbols and themes that reoccur and relate to one another and add another layer of meaning to the story. Both protagonists are interesting characters, Daphne even more so as she reconnects with her younger self while meeting Eddie again and by telling the story of the accident. The ending is very moving, quiet, but brilliantly done, and made me listen to the last part of the novel for a second time. This audiobook is read by the author, not always the best choice, but she brought her story to life perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed Whistler. 

Ann Patchett, Whistler. Harper 2026.