Literary · Contemporary fiction
On Beauty
Two feuding academic families, one in England and one in the United States, collide around a New England college, with arguments over art, race and loyalty.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 2005
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 472
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like witty, observant campus novels about families and ideas.
Skip this if you want a fast plot with few characters.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about On Beauty
- What is On Beauty about?
- Two feuding academic families, one in England and one in the United States, collide around a New England college, with arguments over art, race and loyalty.
- Who should read On Beauty?
- Read it if you like witty, observant campus novels about families and ideas. Skip it if you want a fast plot with few characters.
- How long and how fast is On Beauty?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 472 pages, first published in 2005.
- Does On Beauty have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Infidelity.
- Can I borrow On Beauty for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends On Beauty; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
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| Audiobook | ||
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| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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