The Gazebo: A Novel

By Emily Grayson

The Gazebo is an elegantly written story of enduring love and loyalty, in the popular tradition of The Bridges of Madison County and The Notebook.

Once a year for half a century, a man and a woman have been meeting at the gazebo in the square of a small town in upstate New York. Martin Rayfiel and Claire Swift long ago married other people, yet they have remained faithful to their vow to love each other always. When Martin, now a handsome, elderly man, walks into the office of the town newspaper and tries to tell his tale to the young editor Abby Reston, she is too busy to listen. But the next day Abby finds herself drawn to the gazebo to watch for the annual arrival of Martin and Claire. She waits and waits, but they don't come. Puzzled and intrigued, Abby finds a briefcase that Martin left behind for her, and in it--in photographs, papers, tape recordings, and mementos--is the entire astonishing story of Martin and Claire, a love affair that spanned the globe and somehow survived for fifty years.

The only son of the town's wealthiest family, Martin dreamed of being a world-class chef, while Claire, born of poor parents, hoped to be a sculptor. Despite their disparate backgrounds, and in defiance of small-town morality, they left everything behind and traveled together through Europe, until family allegiances suddenly and unexpectedly called Claire home. Before they parted, they vowed that, no matter what, they would meet at the gazebo once a year. Now it's up to Abby to find out what drove these lovers apart, why they continued to meet over the decades, and where they are now.

From the picturesque square in the center of a small town to the hotels, restaurants, museums, and boulevards of Paris, Florence, and London, Martin and Claire's story offers a voyage of discovery that transforms Abby Reston's own life. The Gazebo is a haunting tale of love and faithfulness that no reader will ever forget.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Apr 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9780062034786

Emily Grayson

Emily Grayson is the author of four previous novels, The Gazebo, The Observatory, The Fountain, and Waterloo Station. She lives in New York City with her husband and children.

Reviews for The Gazebo

[christineellei · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For the past fifty years, on May 27th, Martin and Claire have been meeting at the gazebo in the square of their small town. This year Martin has walked into the local newspaper office carrying a briefcase. He asks the editor if she would like an interesting story for her paper. As Martin begins to tell his story she realizes that it is not the newsworthy type of thing she is looking for and politely ushers him out. However, the story does not leave her alone and she heads to the town square to observe this annual meeting first hand. This year no one shows. She steps into the structure and discovers the briefcase lying under the gazebo bench. In that briefcase is the story of Martin and Claire along with a few other surprises.

Is it a little cliché? Yes. Has the story been done before? Yes. Are some of the decisions Claire and Martin make unbelievable? Maybe yes, maybe no. But, I loved this little book that packed a bit of a punch. I turned the last page of this book as I was sitting in airport terminal waiting for a flight and found I had to get up to go to ladies room to wipe the tears away.

[loubigfish · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

absolutely one of my favorites. Excellent story and heartfelt characters. A fantastic book and a classic to be read over and over again.