Lorna Mott Comes Home: A novel

**A Sparkling Return: Diane Johnson's *Lorna Mott Comes Home* - A Novel of Second Acts and San Francisco Life** From the acclaimed author of *Le Divorce* and *Le Mariage* comes *Lorna Mott Comes Home*, a sharply observed and utterly charming novel that explores the complexities of modern life, family, and finding oneself after a major life change. Diane Johnson, often hailed as the Edith Wharton of expat life, brings her signature wit and keen insight to this story of an American woman rediscovering her roots and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of family dynamics in San Francisco. Lorna Mott Dumas appears to have it all: a successful career as an art lecturer, a comfortable life in France with her charming (if philandering) husband, and a loving family spread across continents. But beneath the surface of her seemingly perfect existence lies a yearning for something more, a desire to reconnect with her American identity and the chaotic, yet comforting, embrace of her family. On an impulse and a carefully planned decision, Lorna decides to leave her husband and return to her native San Francisco, leaving behind the rigid social conventions of France for the familiar, albeit complicated, terrain of her children and grandchildren. In San Francisco, Lorna finds a world both familiar and drastically changed. Her three grown children, though supportive of her decision, are each grappling with their own unique challenges from career anxieties and real estate woes to complicated relationships and the ever-present anxieties of modern parenting. Her grandchildren, a vibrant and diverse cast of characters, add another layer of complexity to Lorna's new life. One grapples with a software enterprise, another is dealing with the distress of a missing child in the Far East. Notably, her fifteen-year-old granddaughter, a beacon of the family but also someone whos had to struggle with diabetes, is pregnant and determined to raise her child, a poignant reminder of the enduring power of family and the cycles of life. As Lorna attempts to build a new life for herself, she must navigate the tricky waters of dating after divorce, financial independence, and the challenges of forging meaningful connections in a world obsessed with technology and fleeting relationships. Her ex-husband also adds intrigue, making an appearance in her new life. With her trademark wit and perceptive eye, Johnson explores the themes of divorce, motherhood, aging, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels overwhelming. *Lorna Mott Comes Home* is a delightful and insightful read, a portrait of a woman embracing change and rediscovering the joys of family, friendship, and self-discovery. It's a celebration of the messy, beautiful, and often hilarious realities of modern life, told with Johnson's signature warmth, intelligence, and razor-sharp wit. Perfect for fans of contemporary fiction, literary humor, and stories about women navigating the complexities of life and love, this novel is sure to resonate with readers who appreciate insightful character studies and sparkling prose. Prepare to be charmed, moved, and thoroughly entertained by *Lorna Mott Comes Home*. A true gem from a master storyteller.