Book Review: 70-year-old psychiatrist takes to the road in Anna Montague's beguiling new novel

Anna Montague has written a road novel with a twist. Her protagonist, Magda Eklund, is a septuagenarian psychiatrist mourning the death of her best friend, Sara. When she discovers that Sara had planned a cross-country trip to celebrate her 70th, Magda decides to do it alone. As she drives from city to city with Sara’s ashes by her side, Magda is forced to confront the truth of their friendship as well as her troubled relationship with her own family. Associated Press reviewer Ann Levin says Montague has written a poignant, funny debut novel about sexual identity. Published by Ecco, it will be released on Tuesday.