FromtheauthoroftheNewYorkTimesbestsellerEverybodyRise,a“shimmering“(NewYorkTimesBookReview)novelwiththeexquisitehistoricaldetailandevocativesettingsofTheColdMillionsandGreatCirclethattellsthestoryofoneunforgettablewoman’sriseincountryandwesternmusic.It’s1980,andLillianWatersishittingtheroadfortheverylasttime.Jadedfromheryearsinthemusicbusiness,perpetuallyhungover,anddiagnosedwithcareer-endingvocalproblems,Lilliancobblestogetheranationwidefarewelltourfeaturingsomeoldhandsfromherearlydaysplayinghonky-tonkbarsinWashingtonStateandNashville,plusafewnewones.Sheyearnstofeeltherushofmakinglivemusiconemoretimeandbaskintheglowofapackedhousebeforeshemakesthelast,andmostimportant,stoponthetour:thefarmsheleftbehindatagetenandthesistersheisfinallyreadytoconfrontaboutanagonizingbetrayalintheirchildhood.Asthenovelcrisscrosseseras,movingbetweenLillian’syouth--theDepression,theSecondWorldWar,theriseofNashville--andhermiddle-agedlifein1980,weseeherstrivingtobuildacareerinthemale-dominatedworldofcountrymusic,includingthehardchoicesshemakesasshetriestoredefinemusic,love,aging,andwomanhoodonherownterms.Nearingherfinaltourstop,Lilisforcedtoconfrontthosechoicesandhowtheyshapedherlife.Wouldadifferentversionofherselfhavefoundthehappinessandsuccessthathaseludedher?WhenshereachesherWashingtonhometownforherverylastshow,though,she’llundergoareckoningwiththepastthatforceshertoreconsiderherentirelifestory.Exploringoneunforgettablewoman’screativity,ambition,andsacrificesinaworld--andanartform--madeformen,TheFarewellTourasksustoconsiderhowmuchofourpastwecaneverleavebehind.
