Ann Patchett's new novel "Whistler" follows a family's unraveling and reunion set against the backdrop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exploring moments when viewers find themselves emotionally moved by artworks that seem to reflect their own grief, joy, or uncertainty.
Critic Lavinia Liang examines the novel's investigation of emotional connection with art, questioning whether Patchett's narrative implies that grief and art are fundamentally at odds. The work begins with a chance encounter at The Met and traces how family members navigate loss and reconnection through the museum's halls.
