A Promise to Arlette
A Novel
Published on 17. June 2025
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-6680-7030-7 (ISBN)
Description
With the scope of a saga and the heart of a thriller, this is an evocative historical novel following a married couple whose idyllic 1950s suburban life is threatened by the promises they made during World War II.
Sidney and Ida Whipple are living the suburban 1950s American dream, complete with two children and a white picket fence, which didn't seem possible when they first met at the height of WWII in France. Reveling in the present, they can almost convince themselves that their past is behind them. But when their neighbors show off a newly purchased Man Ray photograph, Ida comes face-to-face with the person she loved and lost in the war: Arlette.
Only Ida knows the truth about the photograph, and why it can't possibly be authentic. In an attempt to right past wrongs, she travels to California vowing to confront Man Ray. Sidney wakes to find his wife is missing, the photograph in question stolen, and all the secrets they've tried to bury come rushing back. With his daughters in tow, he travels after Ida, hoping to forge a new path together. Instead, their sojourn leads to a shocking discovery that could pull their family apart in this sweeping, unforgettable story about love and friendship, trust and betrayal, and how promises made, broken, and ultimately renewed, can determine our fate.
Sidney and Ida Whipple are living the suburban 1950s American dream, complete with two children and a white picket fence, which didn't seem possible when they first met at the height of WWII in France. Reveling in the present, they can almost convince themselves that their past is behind them. But when their neighbors show off a newly purchased Man Ray photograph, Ida comes face-to-face with the person she loved and lost in the war: Arlette.
Only Ida knows the truth about the photograph, and why it can't possibly be authentic. In an attempt to right past wrongs, she travels to California vowing to confront Man Ray. Sidney wakes to find his wife is missing, the photograph in question stolen, and all the secrets they've tried to bury come rushing back. With his daughters in tow, he travels after Ida, hoping to forge a new path together. Instead, their sojourn leads to a shocking discovery that could pull their family apart in this sweeping, unforgettable story about love and friendship, trust and betrayal, and how promises made, broken, and ultimately renewed, can determine our fate.
Reviews / Votes
"Burdick sensitively explores the evolution of complex relationships forged during extraordinary times in a way that may appeal to fans of Jennifer Ryan." -Booklist "A beguiling tale [...] The plot unfolds at a breakneck clip, and Burdick artfully highlights the difficult choices her central characters made to ensure their survival, even if it meant going against their moral compasses. This resonates." -Publishers Weekly "A Promise to Arlette is a gripping saga of love and trauma. Burdick takes you from 1950s suburbia to the glittering artistic circle of Peggy Guggenheim to the horrors of World War II, vividly bringing each setting and her characters to life." -Rowan Beaird, author of The Divorcees "Burdick's latest vividly comes to life, transporting you to a dazzling 1930s Paris, the vestiges of 1940s chateaus and into the 1950s American suburbs. A Promise to Arlette is filled with captivating characters and wonderful storytelling which makes it absolutely memorable!" -Kim Michele Richardson, New York Times Bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek "Inspired by a photograph Man Ray took of the author's grandmother, Serena Burdick's A Promise to Arlette is a deeply emotional and sweeping novel that draws us into the heart of hidden lives. A Promise to Arlette masterfully explores love, betrayal, and the promises that have the power to shape or shatter our lives. Captivating, profound, and utterly unforgettable." -Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times Bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora LeaMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
476 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6680-7030-7 (9781668070307)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
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Person
Serena Burdick is the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Girls with No Names, The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey, Find Me in Havana, and Girl in the Afternoon. She studied creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College, holds a BA from Brooklyn College in English literature and an AA from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in theater. Find out more at SerenaBurdick.com.