{"book":{"book":"The Brightness","author":"Chad Harbach","publicationYear":"","description":"Chad Harbach's novel The Brightness serves as a follow-up to his debut, returning to the fictional Wisconsin liberal arts college introduced in his earlier work. Rather than functioning as a direct sequel, the book explores a different dimension of the same collegiate world. The story centers on a group of young women who carry out a controversial prank on campus. Through this storyline, the novel delves into the intricacies, tensions, and power of female friendship. The campus novel is set in an era that predates the COVID-19 pandemic, Donald Trump's presidency, and the ubiquitous presence of TikTok. It reflects on college life, shifting social realities, and the lingering consequences of youthful decisions.","image":"https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2160x2160+0+0/resize/3000/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2F61%2Fdaac44c846d2b05354761e7c13e0%2F4cc21687-9dc2-4976-93ee-2817c3876fd4.jpg","date":"2026-11-06"}}