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Spinning at the Edges: A Novel
“Spinning at the Edges is, simply, a marvel."—Edward P. Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Known World
From the author of the acclaimed As Close to Us as Breathing, a captivating novel steeped in history, revealing the bonds of family and community, and the healing powers hidden inside broken hearts.
Ruth Pearl has lived in the small New England town of Wells, Connecticut on the shore of Lake Topaqua for much of her adult life. Decades back, she and her parents fled German-occupied Amsterdam after the murder of her beloved older sister Sophia. Her view of Lake Topaqua, in the wake of such loss, has long been a deep comfort to Ruth.
But in the winter of 2000, Ruth’s neighbor builds an addition to his home that blocks Ruth’s lake view, disrupting her peace and sense of control. She seeks a legal resolution and finds none. Her helplessness sparks fear that her past is happening again.
Ruth heads out one day to skate on the lake only to spot a boy, in the distance, falling through the ice. County judge Arthur Cantrell also witnesses the fall, and together Ruth and the judge save sixteen-year-old Ian Lima’s life. The act is, for all of them, redemptive. Over the days to come Ruth and Arthur help to heal Ian, both physically and mentally, and all three find unexpected solace. Ruth even feels able, at long last, to share the story of her life during the Holocaust with her adult daughter.
Set against the backdrop of the controversial 2000 presidential election, dramatizing the growing interconnection between disparate characters’ lives, and steeped in history both recent and remembered, Spinning at the Edges is the story of a woman, a family, a community, the stories that bind us, and how love—and even democracy—are fragile concepts in a changing, spinning world.
From the author of the acclaimed As Close to Us as Breathing, a captivating novel steeped in history, revealing the bonds of family and community, and the healing powers hidden inside broken hearts.
Ruth Pearl has lived in the small New England town of Wells, Connecticut on the shore of Lake Topaqua for much of her adult life. Decades back, she and her parents fled German-occupied Amsterdam after the murder of her beloved older sister Sophia. Her view of Lake Topaqua, in the wake of such loss, has long been a deep comfort to Ruth.
But in the winter of 2000, Ruth’s neighbor builds an addition to his home that blocks Ruth’s lake view, disrupting her peace and sense of control. She seeks a legal resolution and finds none. Her helplessness sparks fear that her past is happening again.
Ruth heads out one day to skate on the lake only to spot a boy, in the distance, falling through the ice. County judge Arthur Cantrell also witnesses the fall, and together Ruth and the judge save sixteen-year-old Ian Lima’s life. The act is, for all of them, redemptive. Over the days to come Ruth and Arthur help to heal Ian, both physically and mentally, and all three find unexpected solace. Ruth even feels able, at long last, to share the story of her life during the Holocaust with her adult daughter.
Set against the backdrop of the controversial 2000 presidential election, dramatizing the growing interconnection between disparate characters’ lives, and steeped in history both recent and remembered, Spinning at the Edges is the story of a woman, a family, a community, the stories that bind us, and how love—and even democracy—are fragile concepts in a changing, spinning world.
- GenresFiction
320 pages, Hardcover
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Elizabeth Poliner
6 books66 followersElizabeth Poliner is the author of As Close to Us as Breathing, a novel; Mutual Life & Casualty, a novel-in-stories; What You Know in Your Hands, a poetry collection; and Sudden Fog, a poetry chapbook. Her short fiction and poetry have appeared widely in literary journals including the Kenyon Review, The Southern Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, and Colorado Review. She is a recipient of seven individual artist grants from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, fiction fellowships to the Wesleyan and Sewanee writers’ conferences, and artist residencies at the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, the Wurlitzer Foundation, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She teaches creative writing in the MFA and undergraduate programs at Hollins University where she is an associate professor.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 26, 2026
4 stars. I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel. The blurb sounded good, but too often a good premise doesn't always lead to a great, or even at least good read. Here, the alchemy worked. Initially looking like it was going to focus on two timelines, "Ruttie," a young Jewish girl in the Amsterdam just coming under Nazi control, and her 70s-something counterpart, Ruth, Holocaust survivor and living during the 2000 election chaos.
The story became much bigger and deeper, involving many interconnected characters, but somehow escapes the all-too-common outcome, a diffuse story. There was a lot of heart in this story as well, and I'm a sucker for that, and a lot of heartbreak, both because of the tragic consequences of the Holocaust and also because of how misunderstandings and miscommunications (as well as MISSED communications) often separate us. Lastly, I also appreciated the uncomfortable truths that come up. One example, which I have to be a little ambiguous about so as not to cause a spoiler: we have one main character very upset about something, a wrong they feel having done to them, and so "of course" we sympathize with them, and then later, we find out WHY that perceived wrong is happening, and moreover, that that person has actually been looking out for the "victim." Just shows how connected we are, both in good ways and in bad.
The one part of this book that didn't work for me was the backdrop of that 2000 election. It honestly didn't add anything to the story for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The story became much bigger and deeper, involving many interconnected characters, but somehow escapes the all-too-common outcome, a diffuse story. There was a lot of heart in this story as well, and I'm a sucker for that, and a lot of heartbreak, both because of the tragic consequences of the Holocaust and also because of how misunderstandings and miscommunications (as well as MISSED communications) often separate us. Lastly, I also appreciated the uncomfortable truths that come up. One example, which I have to be a little ambiguous about so as not to cause a spoiler: we have one main character very upset about something, a wrong they feel having done to them, and so "of course" we sympathize with them, and then later, we find out WHY that perceived wrong is happening, and moreover, that that person has actually been looking out for the "victim." Just shows how connected we are, both in good ways and in bad.
The one part of this book that didn't work for me was the backdrop of that 2000 election. It honestly didn't add anything to the story for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
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February 20, 2026Review to follow!
May 14, 2026
What if something as simple as losing your view could unravel everything you thought you’d made peace with?
Spinning at the Edges by Elizabeth Poliner isn’t a fast-paced story, it's one that unfolds slowly, thoughtfully, and with so much emotional depth.
Reading Ruth’s story felt like stepping into a life shaped by both profound loss and quiet resilience. Her past escaping Nazi-occupied Amsterdam and carrying the grief of her sister’s death lingers beneath everything, even in the seemingly calm setting of her New England town. When her lake view is taken from her, it seems small at first, but it’s not. It’s the thread that begins to unravel old wounds she thought were long buried.
What I really appreciated about this book is how Elizabeth Poliner explores trauma not as something that simply goes away but as something that can resurface in unexpected ways. Ruth’s reactions felt raw and real, even when they were uncomfortable.
The turning point, the moment on the ice completely shifted the tone for me. The way Ruth, Judge Cantrell, and Ian become connected through that act of спасing a life was honestly beautiful. There’s something really powerful about how healing can come through helping someone else. It didn’t feel overly sentimental, either it felt earned.
I also loved how the story gently weaves in themes of memory, aging, and finally, telling your story. Ruth opening up to her daughter added another layer of emotional weight that made the ending feel especially meaningful.
This is definitely a quieter, more reflective read, but if you’re someone who loves character-driven stories that explore grief, healing, and human connection, this one is worth your time.
✨️Thank you, Harper and Elizabeth Poliner, for sharing this story with me!
Spinning at the Edges by Elizabeth Poliner isn’t a fast-paced story, it's one that unfolds slowly, thoughtfully, and with so much emotional depth.
Reading Ruth’s story felt like stepping into a life shaped by both profound loss and quiet resilience. Her past escaping Nazi-occupied Amsterdam and carrying the grief of her sister’s death lingers beneath everything, even in the seemingly calm setting of her New England town. When her lake view is taken from her, it seems small at first, but it’s not. It’s the thread that begins to unravel old wounds she thought were long buried.
What I really appreciated about this book is how Elizabeth Poliner explores trauma not as something that simply goes away but as something that can resurface in unexpected ways. Ruth’s reactions felt raw and real, even when they were uncomfortable.
The turning point, the moment on the ice completely shifted the tone for me. The way Ruth, Judge Cantrell, and Ian become connected through that act of спасing a life was honestly beautiful. There’s something really powerful about how healing can come through helping someone else. It didn’t feel overly sentimental, either it felt earned.
I also loved how the story gently weaves in themes of memory, aging, and finally, telling your story. Ruth opening up to her daughter added another layer of emotional weight that made the ending feel especially meaningful.
This is definitely a quieter, more reflective read, but if you’re someone who loves character-driven stories that explore grief, healing, and human connection, this one is worth your time.
✨️Thank you, Harper and Elizabeth Poliner, for sharing this story with me!
May 17, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 Do you remember the 2000 Presidential Election in the USA? It was the last election before I could vote and my high school soccer team played Al Gore’s son’s team right after the loss. I will never forget the buzz as the campus prepared for his visit and I was standing right next to him when a preschooler approached him and told him he was sorry for his loss and hoped he won the next one. It feels like a lifetime ago…and sometimes an event like this paired with a disruption close to home can be a catalyst to stir up sentiments unspoken yet not healed.
Spinning at the Edges is a beautifully reflective novel, following the journey of a woman recovering from the unthinkable trauma in the decades from the 1940s through the turn of the millennium. Losing her older sister to a murder and then fleeing Nazi-occupied Amsterdam was a true test of resilience for Ruth Pearl; but life does not have a cap on the amount of trials and tribulations it sends in the direction of one individual. Generational trauma is real and an unexpected spark can reignite those hidden emotions when you least expect it.
Spinning at the Edges unravels in beautiful layers, creating a masterful mosaic of connections weaved through dynamic storytelling. Elizabeth Poliner delivers a thought-provoking, heartfelt story of hope and healing and the powerful ties that bring us together through it all.
📖 Book Review 📖 Do you remember the 2000 Presidential Election in the USA? It was the last election before I could vote and my high school soccer team played Al Gore’s son’s team right after the loss. I will never forget the buzz as the campus prepared for his visit and I was standing right next to him when a preschooler approached him and told him he was sorry for his loss and hoped he won the next one. It feels like a lifetime ago…and sometimes an event like this paired with a disruption close to home can be a catalyst to stir up sentiments unspoken yet not healed.
Spinning at the Edges is a beautifully reflective novel, following the journey of a woman recovering from the unthinkable trauma in the decades from the 1940s through the turn of the millennium. Losing her older sister to a murder and then fleeing Nazi-occupied Amsterdam was a true test of resilience for Ruth Pearl; but life does not have a cap on the amount of trials and tribulations it sends in the direction of one individual. Generational trauma is real and an unexpected spark can reignite those hidden emotions when you least expect it.
Spinning at the Edges unravels in beautiful layers, creating a masterful mosaic of connections weaved through dynamic storytelling. Elizabeth Poliner delivers a thought-provoking, heartfelt story of hope and healing and the powerful ties that bring us together through it all.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Law can protect, and law can terrorize. As our country slips sideways – continuing the momentum of the Supreme Court decision after the Bush/Gore election of 2000 (mulled over by characters in the book) – I’m on the lookout for fiction that will give me the energy to keep engaging with the increasingly painful parts of our world. I found reminders of healing and hope in Spinning at the Edges.
Stephanie tries to create a life of love and caring for the world in 2000 Washington DC in the face of her mother Ruth’s reserve and silence about her own childhood in 1940 Amsterdam. Stephanie has had little love and support throughout her life, and it begins to feel hopeless. Ruth, a legal secretary in small-town Connecticut, sees the world through the lens of law because of the Nazi laws that destroyed much of her family. Ruth is out skating on the lake, when she sees a teenager fall through a hole in the ice. A judge, who happens to be nearby, helps her pull the young man out and get him to her house to recover. The relationships that play out among these, and several other characters I really cared about (Don’t you hate it when you don’t care about any of the characters in a story?) offer possibilities of healing and redemption.
In the background and often coming to the fore, is the persecution of Jews through history. The family of Barukh Spinoza, a Jewish philosopher, had fled Portugal in the 17th century and ended up in Amsterdam. In the 20th century, Ruth’s family was fleeing Jewish persecution in Amsterdam and circled back to Portugal on their way to the States. Two of the refugees there, trying to save their families, were musing about Spinoza: “The underside of Spinoza’s cool argument, you see, is a warm heart.” The personal stories intermingled with modern history and philosophy urge us to understand that compassion will get us through. Even this.
Stephanie tries to create a life of love and caring for the world in 2000 Washington DC in the face of her mother Ruth’s reserve and silence about her own childhood in 1940 Amsterdam. Stephanie has had little love and support throughout her life, and it begins to feel hopeless. Ruth, a legal secretary in small-town Connecticut, sees the world through the lens of law because of the Nazi laws that destroyed much of her family. Ruth is out skating on the lake, when she sees a teenager fall through a hole in the ice. A judge, who happens to be nearby, helps her pull the young man out and get him to her house to recover. The relationships that play out among these, and several other characters I really cared about (Don’t you hate it when you don’t care about any of the characters in a story?) offer possibilities of healing and redemption.
In the background and often coming to the fore, is the persecution of Jews through history. The family of Barukh Spinoza, a Jewish philosopher, had fled Portugal in the 17th century and ended up in Amsterdam. In the 20th century, Ruth’s family was fleeing Jewish persecution in Amsterdam and circled back to Portugal on their way to the States. Two of the refugees there, trying to save their families, were musing about Spinoza: “The underside of Spinoza’s cool argument, you see, is a warm heart.” The personal stories intermingled with modern history and philosophy urge us to understand that compassion will get us through. Even this.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received an ARC of this book from Goodreads/Harper.
4.5 Stars rounded up.
This is not the easiest book to review as the story takes place over multiple timelines from the point of view of multiple characters. The story is not told linear fashion, instead it is presented as short sections of story, usually in multiple timelines and locations, in each chapter. While you know Sophia was murdered and the boy intentionally jumped through a hole in the ice, you don’t know the how or why these things happened or how they could possibly be connected until the last two chapters. In the beginning this can make the book feel a bit disjointed but if you stick with it the author does an excellent job of bringing all the bits and pieces together into a coherent and compelling story.
Ruth, her daughter Stephanie, Ian, his mother Missy, Judge Cantrell, his girlfriend Willa, and several of the minor characters are all experiencing major changes in their lives and all, to one degree or another, feel that their lives are spinning out of control during the nonsense of 2000 election. This story line is combined with the story of Ruth’s family during and shortly after the German occupation of the Netherlands in 1940 – 41. The author uses Ruth and Stephanie’s love of ice skating as a common thread between the two timelines and the multiple locations in the book. From Oosterpark (Voor Joden Verboden) in Amsterdam, the lake in Wells Connecticut, the National Gallery rink on the Mall in D.C., to the public rink in Wheaton Regional Park (where I learned to skate) both characters retreat to the ice as an escape from the changes in their lives over which they feel they have no control.
While all of this sounds like the recipe for a hot mess in 305 pages, the author does a masterful job of bringing all the various storylines to a satisfying conclusion in the end.
4.5 Stars rounded up.
This is not the easiest book to review as the story takes place over multiple timelines from the point of view of multiple characters. The story is not told linear fashion, instead it is presented as short sections of story, usually in multiple timelines and locations, in each chapter. While you know Sophia was murdered and the boy intentionally jumped through a hole in the ice, you don’t know the how or why these things happened or how they could possibly be connected until the last two chapters. In the beginning this can make the book feel a bit disjointed but if you stick with it the author does an excellent job of bringing all the bits and pieces together into a coherent and compelling story.
Ruth, her daughter Stephanie, Ian, his mother Missy, Judge Cantrell, his girlfriend Willa, and several of the minor characters are all experiencing major changes in their lives and all, to one degree or another, feel that their lives are spinning out of control during the nonsense of 2000 election. This story line is combined with the story of Ruth’s family during and shortly after the German occupation of the Netherlands in 1940 – 41. The author uses Ruth and Stephanie’s love of ice skating as a common thread between the two timelines and the multiple locations in the book. From Oosterpark (Voor Joden Verboden) in Amsterdam, the lake in Wells Connecticut, the National Gallery rink on the Mall in D.C., to the public rink in Wheaton Regional Park (where I learned to skate) both characters retreat to the ice as an escape from the changes in their lives over which they feel they have no control.
While all of this sounds like the recipe for a hot mess in 305 pages, the author does a masterful job of bringing all the various storylines to a satisfying conclusion in the end.
May 12, 2026
Ruth Pearl lives in a New England town on a pristine lake. Several years earlier, she fled German-occupied Amsterdam with her parents after tragedy. When Ruth’s neighbor adds to his home, blocking her view of the lake, she has no choice but to take him to court. She finds no justice.
One day Ruth is skating on the lake, when she sees a little boy fall through the ice. With the help of a local judge, they save the boy named Ian. As he heals, so do Ruth and Arthur, the judge, which sets the stage for Ruth to finally talk with her daughter about her life during the Holocaust.
I found it fascinating that the author chose to set this novel during the 2000 presidential election, which was quite controversial at the time. Spinning at the Edges is about the fragility of so much in life, including democracy. I respected how the author wove this into the story in such an authentic way. A powerful and fully resonant story with a strong historical backdrop. Perfect storytelling.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
One day Ruth is skating on the lake, when she sees a little boy fall through the ice. With the help of a local judge, they save the boy named Ian. As he heals, so do Ruth and Arthur, the judge, which sets the stage for Ruth to finally talk with her daughter about her life during the Holocaust.
I found it fascinating that the author chose to set this novel during the 2000 presidential election, which was quite controversial at the time. Spinning at the Edges is about the fragility of so much in life, including democracy. I respected how the author wove this into the story in such an authentic way. A powerful and fully resonant story with a strong historical backdrop. Perfect storytelling.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
History, democracy, family, and interpersonal relationships create an intriguing read that holds the reader's interest until the final page. Characters development was a gift to the reader. A very, very good read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews