About Grace

In About Grace, Anthony Doerr explores the life of David Winkler, whose dreams predict tragedy, leading him on a poignant journey of love and loss.

In About Grace, Anthony Doerr crafts a beautifully written and compelling narrative that captivates readers from the very first page. The story revolves around David Winkler, a young boy growing up in Alaska, who is haunted by his vivid dreams. At the tender age of nine, he experiences a nightmarish vision of a man being decapitated by a truck. When this premonition tragically comes true, David realizes that his dreams possess a terrifying power, one that he cannot control or escape. As the visions continue to plague him, he struggles to navigate a life filled with catastrophic possibilities.

As David transitions into adulthood, love unexpectedly blossoms when he meets Sandy in a supermarket—an encounter he had already dreamt about. The couple moves to Ohio, where they welcome their daughter, Grace, into the world. However, the joy of parenthood is soon overshadowed by a new series of ominous visions. David foresees the drowning of his daughter amidst a catastrophic flood that threatens their home. Unable to confront the future he fears, he makes a desperate decision to flee, leaving behind the very life he cherishes.

Finding refuge on a remote Caribbean island, David works as a handyman while grappling with his haunting past and the uncertainty of Grace's fate. Over the course of two decades, he must confront his deepest fears and summon the courage to discover whether his daughter survived the flood or succumbed to the fate he envisioned. About Grace is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the intricate threads that bind us to our destinies.