This novel kept me up late two nights in a row, and away from my phone, a rare feat. 
 The book takes place at two main points in time: the childhood of Fern and Edgar, and at a turning point in their marriage. Both from wealthy families, Fern is from old money and Edgar from new. We come to understand what has brought them to the point of crisis in the book, and we are left (view spoiler)[somewhat hopeful for the future (hide spoiler)]. 
 The crisis occurs when, suddenly without Fern's family money, she and Edgar each take off on separate adventures (although I use that word advisedly), inadvertently leaving their three school-age children behind. Too afraid of orphanages, the children cope on their own and end up living in the backyard. 
 The cast of supporting characters (parents, teachers, siblings) are extremely well drawn. 
 Highly recommended.