At a Glance
- Meg Mason’s next novel, Sophie, Standing There, lands September 8, 2026.
- The story follows Sophie Pattison, who clings to a beloved author after a shattering loss.
- Early blurbs call it “so smart, so funny, so moving” (Bonnie Garmus) and “deeply hopeful” (Ann Patchett).
- Why it matters: Pre-orders are open now, and buzz is building for the Sorrow and Bliss follow-up.
Meg Mason’s forthcoming novel traces how one woman’s obsession with an author’s books becomes a lifeline after grief. Set for release on September 8, 2026, Sophie, Standing There centers on Sophie Pattison, a cheerful woman whose rich circle-husband, brother, best friend Emma- and dream job at a local books festival collapse into loneliness when a sudden loss strikes.
A Story of Solace and Pages
According to the HarperCollins synopsis, Sophie rediscovers an author she first read in her twenties. The novelist’s words shift from entertainment to “both solace and company.” Devouring every title, Sophie begins to dream of meeting the writer, though she assumes it impossible. The narrative asks: What if she did? What if the author felt like a friend? What if it felt almost like love?
Mason tells News Of Losangeles that Sophie’s upbeat personality surprised her during drafting. One biographical detail Mason borrowed from her own life: Sophie is a late-blooming reader. The protagonist’s insecurity about “doing it right” mirrors Mason’s past worries.
“There’s no perfect way to be a reader, and no perfect way to be a person in the world,” Mason says. “I hope every kind of reader, the lifelong and late-onset like myself and Sophie, will see a part of themselves in this story.”
Praise From Best-Selling Peers
Advance acclaim positions the novel as both humorous and moving:
- Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry, calls it “so smart, so funny, so moving” and praises Mason’s use of the literary-festival backdrop to deepen themes.
- Ann Patchett, writer of Tom Lake and Bel Canto, labels Mason a “dazzling talent” and the book “heartbreaking, hilarious and deeply hopeful.”
Key Details for Readers
- Title: Sophie, Standing There
- Author: Meg Mason
- Publisher: HarperCollins
- Length: Described as an “ode to the inexplicable nature of the human heart.”
- Availability: Pre-order now wherever books are sold.
The novel follows Mason’s 2020 breakout Sorrow and Bliss, and Daniel J. Whitman reported that anticipation has remained high among fans of introspective, darkly comic women’s fiction.
Key Takeaways
- Mason’s new release explores grief, connection, and the intimacy readers feel toward authors.
- Early endorsements from Garmus and Patchett signal strong critical support.
- Pre-orders are live ahead of the September 8, 2026, publication date.
