By the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Gilead, Home, Lila and Jack, a modern American masterpiece by an author whose work 'defines universal truths about what it means to be human' (Barack Obama) 'A perfect novel.' David Nicholls 'Genius.' Anne Enright 'The rarest talent.' Colm Tóibín 'A marvel.' Barbara Kingsolver Ruth and Lucille are orphans in the desolate lakeside town of Fingerbone: the same lake where their grandfather died in a spectacular train wreck and their mother drove off a cliff. Abandoned by a succession of relatives, the sisters find themselves in the care of Sylvie, their enigmatic aunt. Over time, the sisters grow up, and apart - until they must discover what it truly means to escape. One of the Observer's 100 Greatest Novels of All Time