Matters of Chance: A Novel

An affluent family navigates life before, during, and after World War II in this “masterpiece” by the author of All of It (Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

“One of the best books of the year.” —Publishers Weekly

“Haien’s remarkable evocation of war at sea, her nuanced perception of the complexities of marriage, and the grand sweep of her tale remind us of the deep pleasures of an old fashioned read.” —Elle

Matters of Chance is a glorious, captivating novel about Morgan and Maude Shurtliff, who fall in love and marry in the years before World War II. Unable to have children of their own, Morgan and Maude adopt twin girls. The four go home to their beautiful house in the country outside of New York City and begin to settle into what they hope will be a long and happy life. When the twins are still young, Morgan is called to serve in World War II, leaving Maude to raise her daughters alone. Jeannette Haien has rendered Morgan’s war experiences with astonishing detail, just as she has captured the American post-war era with a precision that is unrivaled in recent fiction . . .

“Every description mingles missionary vigor with a touch of moral revelation in this kind and compelling book. . . . Haein has a musician’s ear, and her narrative voice is a study in measured grace.” —The New Yorker

“Matters of Chance is a big, fat, wonderful, absorbing novel reminiscent of Anthony Trollope.” —Detroit Free Press

“A marvelous new novel. . . . Elegant. . . . Exquisitely written. . . . One of Haien’s greatest gifts as a writer is her power to capture moments of heightened consciousness and sear them into a reader’s imagination.” —NPR’s Fresh Air

© 2023 HarperCollins e-books (Ebook): 9780061978296

Release date

Ebook: 21 November 2023