Oprah Winfrey has spoken, naming a “beautifully written” novel set during the Vietnam War as her latest Oprah’s Book Club pick. Solace in Winter by Mary Lawson is already earning praise from early readers and critics, with comparisons to celebrated writers including Ann Patchett, Claire Keegan, Marilynne Robinson and Annie Proulx. Now, Lawson’s novel has earned the recommendation of one of the most influential voices in the literary world: Oprah Winfrey.
Solace in Winter, released on November 10, 2026, and available for preorder now, is a quietly moving, character-driven novel about a richly drawn community, complicated family relationships and unexpected connections. With its intersecting storylines and themes of grief, loneliness, compassion and family, it has all the makings of an Oprah’s Book Club selection.
Early readers are already embracing Oprah’s latest choice, with one gushing, “It’s so good, love Jack.”
What Is Solace in Winter About?
View this post on Instagram
Set in December 1969 in the fictional town of Solace in Northern Ontario, Canada, the novel follows Jack Gallagher, a widower whose quiet, solitary life is upended by a pair of unexpected arrivals.
First, Jack comes across an injured dog on a snowy road. Then he discovers Christian Hansen, a young American who has crossed the Canadian border to escape the Vietnam War draft and is seriously injured in a car accident.
Jack takes them both in, transforming his previously quiet cabin into a gathering place for people carrying their own troubles, secrets and hopes.
Who Is Mary Lawson?
Mary Lawson is no newcomer to literary fiction. Solace in Winter is her fifth novel, following Crow Lake (2002), The Other Side of the Bridge (2006), Road Ends (2013) and A Town Called Solace (2021). Each book has helped establish her reputation for writing about family relationships, small communities and the emotional consequences of life’s unexpected turns.
The Times Compares Mary Lawson to Ann Patchett and Other Acclaimed Authors
View this post on Instagram
Not only is Solace in Winter Oprah’s latest Book Club selection, but its writing is also being compared to some of the literary world’s most celebrated authors. The Times sees connections to Ann Patchett, Claire Keegan, Marilynne Robinson and Annie Proulx, a meaningful comparison to some of fiction’s most captivating storytellers.
The Times specifically highlights Lawson’s “humane understanding, empathy, and humour.” Those comparisons are meaningful because these authors are known for creating memorable characters and exploring the emotional complexities of ordinary lives.
Born in Canada, Lawson often writes about the lakes, forests and rocky terrain of Northern Ontario, which play a major role in her fiction. After graduating from McGill University in Canada, Lawson moved to England in the late 1960s. She published her first novel at the age of 55.
🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬