Early Warning

In "Early Warning," the second book of Jane Smiley's acclaimed American trilogy, the Langdon family faces profound changes in the wake of their patriarch Walter's death in 1953. As his five adult children navigate their divergent paths—from rural Iowa to the bustling landscapes of Washington, D.C. and California—they grapple with the societal shifts of the Cold War and the upheaval of the 1960s and '70s. Richly character-driven, the novel explores the enduring ties of family amidst a rapidly evolving nation, while also standing alone as a compelling tale of resilience and transformation.