Chance Encounter

While museums are among New York’s crown jewels, I revere one above all others: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which seemingly goes on forever, entire wings devoted to Ming Dynasty scrolls, African sculpture, and a stunning series of European galleries. Ann Patchett pivots off the Met in her subtle, spirited new novel, Whistler, which follows one 53-year-old woman as she reckons with her half-forgotten childhood and considers parenthood in a fresh light.