Throughout my reading of Ann Packer’s new novel, “Some Bright Nowhere,” all I could keep thinking was “poor Eliot.”

It is strange to be worried about Eliot, given that it is Eliot’s wife, Claire, who has recently decided to cease treatment for breast cancer that has metastasized beyond contemporary medicine’s ability to hold it at bay. It’s been eight years, and as the novel opens, there are only months left.

By all accounts, including his own, Eliot has been a caring, capable and willing caretaker for Claire. Once a successful executive, he has taken advantage of that success to retire and dedicate his life to Claire’s needs. Their marriage has been as solid as anyone would wish, mutually faithful, loving and parents to two grown children, Abby (a pediatrician) and Josh (a talented but

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