Solstice

“Love, life, and art, each feeding and being fed by the next—no one draws the connections like Carol Gilligan. Solstice is a remarkable work by a remarkable writer, in whose generative hands head meets, at last, heart.”—Gish Jen, author of Bad Bad Girl

“A literary tour de force and an imaginative rendition of the themes that have always occupied Gilligan, including the role of gender, especially in intimate relationships, and a questioning of the patriarchal reading of the world. But for all its wide-ranging themes, Solstice is first and foremost an irresistible read. Gilligan brings her wisdom, empathy, and humor to bear upon the conflicts and desires that stir in each of us, and in so doing helps show us a way toward embracing the pleasures and connections that link us to this embattled world.”—Daphne Merkin, author of 22 Minutes of Unconditional Love

“It’s the voice that pulled me in—Solstice is the gripping story of a woman artist at work—a choreographer and her dancers, the world of children, marriage, and her ambition. In an utterly surprising way, Gilligan’s novel illuminates the suspense central to all our lives. Will our work sustain us? Will we have and give love? Can we make a difference?”—Honor Moore, author of A Termination

“What if a woman follows what she feels to be true, no matter the judgment it brings? What if an ancient story can be a beacon to bring lovers home? Gilligan’s vibrant new novel invites us into a love story unlike any other. Kaleidoscopic, sensual, and wholly unique, Solstice is a novel to treasure.”—Rachel Kadish, author of The Weight of Ink

“This artful novel is both cosmopolitan and exquisitely intimate.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Reflective and engagingly talky, the novel poses questions about the value of marriage and the tensions and challenges inherent to it. Readers, especially those examining their lives from a mid-point, will find new insights into a familiar topic.”—Booklist

Carol Gilligan is a University Professor at New York University. Her landmark classic In a Different Voice revolutionized the study of girls, women, and human psychology. She is also the author of the novel Kyra and numerous books on psychology and the development of women and girls.

Gilligan was previously the first Graham professor of gender studies at Harvard University, where she taught for over 30 years. In 1996, Time magazine named her one of the 25 most influential Americans, and in 2025, she received the Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy.

Carol Gilligan lives in New York City and Massachusetts.

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