The debut novel that redefined the coming-of-age genre, now with an introduction by New York Times bestselling author Maria Semple.

Stylish, suburban Katherine is just eighteen years old when she is introduced to Professor Jacob Goldman, his rambling home and his large eccentric family, but she is quickly enveloped into their chaotic life. The professor's wife, Jane, becomes Katherine's spiritual mother, but it is his older sons, and particularly the beautiful, sulky Roger, who breaks her heart and sets her on a new path. Fleeing to Rome, Katherine remakes herself, but ten years later, she must return, older and wiser, to face the Goldmans once more.

In this funny and heartwarming novel, Barbara Trapido introduces an unforgettable main character and debuts the witty, compelling voice that authors from Elizabeth Gilbert to Maria Semple and Lauren Groff rave about.