Commonwealth is the story of a blended family.  Fix and Beverly Keating have two daughters, Caroline and Franny.  Bert and Teresa Cousins have four children, Cal, Holly, Jeanette and Albie.  Bert and Beverly divorce their spouses, marry, and all six children then spend summers together at their home in Virginia.  Patchett deftly describes each of these characters’ and their relationships to each other.  All four parents and their children have their own personalities which evolve while they are explored through five decades.

Commonwealth is a readable and entertaining novel which is sure to be another bestseller for the ubiquitous Ann Patchett.