Estate

A mesmerizing new novel from acclaimed poet and novelist Cynthia Zarin, following her critically praised Inverno.

In Estate: A Novel, celebrated poet and author Cynthia Zarin examines the intricacies of passion, memory, and self-reflection through the voice of Caroline, a woman separated from her husband who finds herself irresistibly drawn to Lorenzo, a man with other lovers. Over the course of a summer charged with erotic intensity and emotional crisis, Caroline records the stories of seduction, deception, and make-believe that she and Lorenzo exchange, questioning how truth and fiction blur in love and memory. This lyrical novel moves across time and space—touching on everything from New Guinea to Italian cinema and word games—charting the elastic nature of desire and asking profound questions about identity, connection, and the stories we tell ourselves.

“Estate unfolds feverishly, amorphously, and outside of any straightforward or linear narrative… fascinating in both language and content.” – Booklist.

“A dense, dizzying exploration of desire and the mystery of the self.” – Kirkus Reviews.

“Elegant… Zarin’s lucid writing impresses.” – Publishers Weekly.