The Best Order to Read Ann Patchett’s Books—From ‘Bel Canto’ to ‘Whistler’

Ann Patchett is one of the most talked-about writers of this generation thanks to her moving prose and unforgettable plotlines. In fact, over the years, the author has won a variety of awards, including the National Humanities Medal, the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize for Fiction. But where exactly should people who want to read her books start? After all, she has written so many wonderful stories. Below, we reveal our top five favorite Ann Patchett books that will have readers falling in love with her work. Read on for more.

Best Ann Patchett books to start with 

From family secrets to sibling bonds, here are the best Ann Patchett books to start with. 

‘Bel Canto’ 

Published in 2001, this novel follows opera singer Roxanne Coss, who has captivated audiences across the country for years. She’s invited to perform at a lavish birthday party for businessman Mr. Hosokawa, but the celebration takes a terrifying turn when terrorists storm in and take everyone hostage. What began as an elegant party became a life-or-death standoff. As time goes on, something unexpected happens: the terrorists and their captives begin to bond, forming connections that make everyone question what they thought they knew about enemies, art and humanity. A powerful, thrilling story that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

What readers are saying: “What an absolute marvelous novel! The story, the people, the exceptional setting just blew me away. I could go into detail, but everyone should just read this book! Ann Patchett’s sentences flow with beauty and wit.”

‘The Dutch House’ 

Published in 2019 and later selected as a Read with Jenna pick, this novel tells the story of Danny and Maeve, siblings who grow up wealthy in a beautiful home outside Philadelphia in the 1950s. Abandoned by their mother and raised by their father and Andrea, their stepmother, Danny and Maeve remain close. When their father dies suddenly, Andrea forces them to leave the family home, but their bond only strengthens. As adults, they often reminisce about their childhood and eventually uncover long-buried secrets about their family’s past that change everything they thought they knew.

What readers are saying: “Ann Patchett has long been a master of the modern family saga, and The Dutch House is no exception. One of my favorite parts of reading this book was coming to truly love Danny and Maeve and to care about what was happening in their lives over the course of the five decades the book encompasses. As much as I loved the siblings, I despised their stepmother Andrea with a passion. The ability of an author to make us feel for the characters is crucial to the enjoyment and success of a story, and Patchett certainly doesn’t disappoint here.” 

‘Tom Lake’

Published in 2023, this touching novel about family, love and growing up is set during the pandemic, when three grown daughters are forced to return to their family’s cherry farm in Michigan to help with the harvest. During those long days in the orchard, the daughters get their mother, Laura, talking about her first love. It’s a wholesome story about the different directions a life can take and children seeing their parents in a new light. 

What readers are saying: “I love Ann Patchett, whose gifts as a storyteller are almost unmatched, as wide-ranging as her varying choice of subjects. Tom Lake is another triumph- and not just because it centers around folks in the theatre. I tore through this book in a few days, despite a busy end-of-summer schedule. It immediately ranks with my favorite of Patchett’s works.” 

Entertainment

The Real-Life Stories Behind Ann Patchett's New Novel ‘Whistler’

Novelist Ann Patchett has captivated millions as a storyteller, whipping up works of fiction from her imagination. But how much of her real life gets woven into her tales, like her newest novel, Whistler? “Everywhere I go, people say this novel is so autobiographical,” Patchett recently shared on the National Writers Series stage. And while […]

‘Commonwealth’

Patchett’s 2016 novel is set in Southern California and begins when Bert Cousins crashes Franny Keating’s christening party uninvited. In a moment that changes everything, he kisses Franny’s mother, setting off a chain reaction that tears apart two families and creates a new blended one. Spanning five decades, the novel explores how this single impulsive act reverberates through the lives of both families’ children. It’s a powerful exploration of how parents’ choices shape their children’s futures and how love, loss and family bonds can impact everything. 

What readers are saying: “You can debate about your favorite Ann Patchett book all you want; perhaps you liked the plot better in another novel, but no one can argue against this being her best-written novel. Each novel is stronger than the novel before and allows her talent to be showcased at an even higher level. I’m so grateful that this novel exists as it fills a hole that exists in literature. So many individuals will be able to see themselves inside of this masterpiece, so read it and tell me what you think!”

‘Whistler’

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Patchett’s latest novel follows Daphne Fuller, who runs into her former stepfather, Eddie Triplett, while walking through the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Eddie was married to her mother for about a year when Daphne was 9, but Daphne, now 53, hasn’t seen him in decades—not since a fateful night rerouted the course of their lives. As they reconnect, they discover that their bond has defied time and distance. A tender exploration of chosen family and the moments that shape us. 

What readers are saying: “Whistler is my favorite book of this year so far. Looking at the beautiful cover reminds me to mention the horse of the same name who has a small part in the story, but a significant importance and a deep connection between the two main characters, Daphne and Eddie. All the pieces and parts of this story make me smile from ear to ear with the love and joy of reading. Corny, but true!”