A unique way to structure a novel and one that is very finely written. I found this a fascinating peek into the lives of a family on one specific April date across three years. Poignant and powerful. Highly recommend. My first by this author..off to find his others.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

Day delves into the complexities of relationships within a family group,
set against the backdrop of a pandemic.

Within the pages of this captivating narrative lies a world waiting to be explored. With its compelling characters, vivid settings, and thought-provoking themes, Day offers a journey that transcends the ordinary. From the highs of triumph to the lows of despair, the story weaves a tapestry of emotions that resonate deeply with readers. As the plot unfolds, it unveils layers of mystery, intrigue, and revelation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Whether seeking adventure, solace, or simply a momentary escape, this book promises to captivate and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of its readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and RandomHouse Publishing for providing this book in exchange for an honest review!

A beautifully written and realistic feeling story. This is outside what I would normally read, but I am glad I took a chance on it.

Exquisitely crafted and considered novel that kept me engaged throughout its duration. Michael Cunningham's prose is routinely precise, inquisitive, and searing. I've been a fan of his since "The Hours," and once again, a trifurcated structure is used to tell a unified story of modern ennui, discord, loss, and recovery. Very much in the mold of Jonathan Franzen's style of writing, a variation of This Is How We Live Now™, which will attract as many readers as repel them. Fiction is at its best when it shines a light on our current realities, and as far as "COVID novels" go, I'd call this work a highly significant one. We can't escape our past, no matter how much we try to, and these characters grapple with all kinds of distant and present traumas that lead them to an existential malaise exacerbated by a global pandemic. It would have been cool if I'd read this book on April 5th, but better late than never, I guess. I was left wanting more days explored and more battles fought, but I'm satisfied that these characters will continue beyond the final page, armed with new understandings of the complex world they inhabit and the vast landscapes that humans refuse to be confined by.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for ARC approval.

Didn't love this book, a little tedious and missing some chunks. Could also be that I feel this way because it feels almost too soon for me to relive what those COVID days were like.....

This book was a beautiful meditation on the Covid pandemic, and how the stressors of that time period impacted the decisions that we make in the past and future. Cunningham applies his beautiful, lyrical cadences to another slice of life fiction piece. What a wonderful, quick journey full of heart, grief, and hope.

Michael Cunningham writes an absolutely beautiful sentence one right after another. It is nice to actually read a book that actually acknowledges the price that the pandemic took from us. I am disappointed that I found no real connection with any of the characters.

Read: Day by Michael Cunningham, which is a “pandemic” novel but also, to me, manages to show how the people around you feed into your relationships—as in, they’re not a strict 1:1 formula. It’s just nicely interconnected and I’m of course always here for a novel that spends chunks of time talking about the color and scent of alpine grass and moss.

The writing was beautiful, but I unfortunately couldn't get invested in the characters. I DNFed around 35% so won't be posting a review elsewhere.

I'm not sure how I have missed works by Michael Cunningham, but I am very grateful I got to experience this book as my first work by him. I'm not sure just how Cunningham gets into the hearts and heads of so many different people as well as he does, but it certainly is a work of art. This is an exceptionally well written drama that unfolds during the pandemic. But! Instead of the pandemic being the main point, it is in the background and isn't the main character. This is well written and enjoyable and I will certainly keep an eye out for the next work Michael Cunningham comes out with.

Michael Cunningham's latest, "Day," is a beautifully written meditation on family dynamics set against the backdrop of a world in flux. The story follows the Walkers, a Brooklyn family, across three Aprils: 2019, 2020, and 2021. We see the cracks beginning to show in Dan and Isabel's marriage, the ever-present tension with their younger brother Robbie, and the innocence of their children, Nathan and Violet, slowly fading.

Cunningham's prose is captivating, weaving a tapestry of emotions that range from the quiet desperation of a failing marriage to the fierce protectiveness of a parent during a pandemic. The shift in the family dynamic as the world goes into lockdown in 2020 is particularly poignant. The brownstone they once cherished becomes a prison, and the anxieties and frustrations each character harbors come to the forefront.

The narrative unfolds more organically, offering glimpses into the characters' lives on that specific date but also venturing into the in-between spaces. This creates a well-rounded picture of the Walkers and the challenges they face.

"Day" isn't a plot-driven novel; it's a character study that explores themes of love, loss, resilience, and the complexities of family bonds. If you're looking for a book that delves deep into the human experience with beautiful prose, then "Day" is definitely worth adding to your shelf.

Michael Cunningham's writing is exquisite. I liked how we received an intimate look into the lives of each of the five adults, who are all disappointed in their lives. From 2019 - 2021, Cunningham captured the actual reality of the pandemic and how it affected families. They complained a lot and it made it difficult to actually like them as characters, but in a way it did make them relatable.

A good read about a day shared over the pandemic. Of family and the things everyone went though during this challenging time.
It shows as we watched news, things shutting down, living in a hard time. And how it affected this family.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of "Day" by Michael Cunningham.

"Day" by Michael Cunningham falls short of expectations. While Cunningham's prose showcases moments of brilliance, the overall experience feels lackluster. The plot meanders without purpose, leaving readers disengaged and struggling to find meaning in the narrative. Additionally, the characters, while initially promising, fail to resonate deeply, their interactions often feeling flat and uninspired. Despite occasional glimpses of insight into themes such as love and loss, "Day" ultimately fails to deliver a compelling or satisfying read.

Day is written with sections including Morning, Afternoon and Evening. Each one is on the date April 5th. It is the same day, but not the same year. Morning is in 2019, Afternoon is in 2020 and Evening is 2021.

Each segment of the book has the characters evolving in their lives. Morning introduces the characters, blatantly showing all of their flaws. The pains and sorrows of lost chances as well as fleeting time seems first and foremost during the afternoon. Evening brings hope that even though life was nothing like the characters thought it would be, things are seemingly going to work out to each of their satisfactions. The growth of the characters, both children and adults, are much happier than they have been in the past. Throughout the book they are evolving to feel comfortable in where their life choices are taking them, instead of questioning what others may think.

This literary fiction was not a cheerful romp. Dealing with life choices, the characters often seem uncomfortable in their own skin. It makes the reader contemplate the outcome well before Evening arrives. Perhaps that is the intention of the author, whose writing will captivate the readers, wondering how the lives of the characters will turn out.

Day is an interesting book, but in no means a happy go lucky read. That isn’t a bad thing, but part way though the story, I would have liked to have a glimmer of hope for the characters, especially the children. Most likely it is closer to real life than most works of fiction, but as a reader, it made me sad to see how unhappy the characters were in their lives.

This is the first book I’ve read by the Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham. His accolades include the author of many novels, both fiction and nonfiction. His work has been published in The New Yorker and The Best American Stories. His accolades include wining the PEN/
Faulkner Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Currently living in New York City, he is a senior lecturer at Yale University

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2024 Laura Hartman

DAY is a beautifully written book that takes place on one day over the course of three years. It's focus is a family, their loves and loses, how they weather the pandemic, and mostly, their relationships with each other. The difficulty I had was a disconnect with the characters. The adults were so self-absorbed that I felt their story was missing. I never understood what it was they were trying to achieve with their long analysis of themselves and each other. Despite the steller prose, I felt disconnected and unplugged while reading.

This is an expertly written book with an interesting concept of looking at a family over three days before the pandemic, at the start of the pandemic, and a year later from multiple points of view at each time period. For me, the novel didn't keep my attention though. There was definitely more here than just a "pandemic story", but for some reason I couldn't get past this idea. However, I think others may definitely appreciate the nuance and tenderness here.

Beautifully written, as are all of Cunningham's books. Always eloquent. But the pandemic is still a raw subject for me as I live with it everyday and still follow pandemic protocols so having to read about it and experience it through literature is not something I want to do.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it now in your local and online bookstores and libraries.