Chapter 20 Summary: Elin, mother of Brigid – A Lake Como Boat Excursion

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Elin narrates a day trip on Lake Como aboard a luxury boat called Dolce Vita. She enjoys the opulent surroundings but recalls past trauma triggered by asking “how did I get this lucky?” Grace openly flirts with the captain, Daniel Asher, an American from Vermont. Daniel shares facts about the lake’s geology and wildlife while Jamie takes photos and Kathleen bird-watches. Elin silently hopes the trip sparks a positive life change for Grace. Daniel steers the group under a stone bridge into the Orrido di Nesso, a narrow gorge with a waterfall. After anchoring, he invites everyone to swim.

Key Events

Elin boards the Dolce Vita with Grace, Merry, Kathleen, and Jamie.
She admits feeling lucky but remembers a past tragedy that followed a similar thought.
The group meets Captain Daniel Asher, an American from Vermont, not Italian.
Grace openly flirts with Daniel; Elin observes and encourages a possible romance.
Daniel gives a geological and ornithological tour, pointing out a short-toed snake eagle.
The boat enters the Orrido di Nesso gorge, where a waterfall pours into the lake.
Daniel drops anchor and asks the group if they want to swim.

Character Development

Elin – Reflects on her good fortune while guarding against jinxing it. She is observant and supportive of Grace’s flirtation, hoping for a positive, life-changing event. Her internal caution hints at unresolved grief or guilt from three years prior.

Grace – Usually proper, she becomes openly flirtatious with Daniel, showing a spontaneous side. Her daughter Merry is embarrassed by her mother’s behavior.

Daniel – Competent and charming, he reveals his American origin after initially being assumed Italian. He is knowledgeable about the lake and attentive to the group.

Kathleen – Pursues bird-watching as a hobby, a coping mechanism “in the wake of the accident.” Shows she has found a peaceful outlet.

Jamie – Documenting the scenery with her phone, she remains in the background.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Luck and Loss – Elin’s fear of jinxing happiness by acknowledging it foreshadows unresolved pain from an event three years earlier. The chapter contrasts present joy with past tragedy.
Transformation and Renewal – The boat tour represents a fresh start; Elin explicitly wishes for a “life-changing in a good way” event for Grace. The gorge’s name Orrido (“horrid”) contrasts with its serene beauty, suggesting that beauty can emerge from harsh origins.
Observation vs. Participation – Elin watches Grace’s flirtation from a distance, while Daniel encourages active engagement with the lake (swimming). The group’s different responses to the tour—fact-seeking, romantic interest, photography—highlight varying levels of presence.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 20 provides a rare moment of lightness and possibility for Elin, whose narrative voice has been tempered by past hardship. The scenic boat ride is a temporary escape from the book club’s tensions and personal sorrows. Elin’s hope that “something life-changing in a good way” can happen to Grace signals a thematic shift toward renewal. The chapter also deepens Grace’s character by revealing a less guarded side, and it introduces Daniel as a potential romantic interest. The Orrido di Nesso—a “horrid” place rendered beautiful—mirrors the group’s ability to find joy after trauma.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Elin hesitate to acknowledge her good fortune?
Answer: The last time she felt this lucky, something terrible happened three years ago that still affects the group. She is superstitious about voicing happiness, fearing it will invite another loss.
How does Grace’s behavior in this chapter differ from her usual demeanor?
Answer: Grace is normally proper, but here she openly flirts with Daniel, hangs on his every word, and even blushes when Elin jokes about him taking his shirt off. This shows a playful, impulsive side rarely seen.
What is the significance of the Orrido di Nesso setting?
Answer: The gorge’s Italian name means “horrid,” yet it is a stunning natural wonder. This juxtaposition reinforces the chapter’s theme that beauty and pain can coexist, and that positive experiences can follow difficult times.