The Book of Speculation
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-1-78239-775-5 (ISBN)
Description
Simon Watson lives alone on the Long Island Sound in his family home, a house perched on the edge of a cliff that is slowly crumbling into the sea. His parents are long dead, his mother having drowned in the water his house overlooks. His younger sister, Enola, works for a travelling carnival and seldom calls.
On a day in late June, Simon receives a mysterious book from an antiquarian bookseller; it has been sent to him because it is inscribed with the name Verona Bonn, Simon's grandmother. The book tells the story of two doomed lovers who were part of a travelling circus more than two hundred years ago. The paper crackles with age as Simon turns the yellowed pages filled with notes and sketches. He is fascinated, yet as he reads Simon becomes increasingly unnerved. Why do so many women in his family drown on 24th July? And could Enola, who has suddenly turned up at home for the first time in years, risk the same terrible fate?
As 24th July draws ever closer, Simon must unlock the mysteries of the book, and decode his family history, before it's too late.
On a day in late June, Simon receives a mysterious book from an antiquarian bookseller; it has been sent to him because it is inscribed with the name Verona Bonn, Simon's grandmother. The book tells the story of two doomed lovers who were part of a travelling circus more than two hundred years ago. The paper crackles with age as Simon turns the yellowed pages filled with notes and sketches. He is fascinated, yet as he reads Simon becomes increasingly unnerved. Why do so many women in his family drown on 24th July? And could Enola, who has suddenly turned up at home for the first time in years, risk the same terrible fate?
As 24th July draws ever closer, Simon must unlock the mysteries of the book, and decode his family history, before it's too late.
Reviews / Votes
In this dazzling debut, the immensely talented Erika Swylersweeps seamlessly through generations and centuries, moving deftly back
and forth and weaving the strands into an exquisite tapestry. I was
immediately swept up in this quirky, raucous, and bewitching family
saga. I absolutely loved this book * Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants * A luscious experience - dark, sweet and wild * Katherine Dunn, author of Geek Love *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Atlantic Books
Illustrations
13 integrated drawings, greyscale
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78239-775-5 (9781782397755)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Erika Swyler, a graduate of New York University, is a writer and playwright whose work has appeared in literary journals and anthologies. Born and raised on Long Island's north shore, Erika learned to swim before she could walk, and happily spent all her money at travelling carnivals. She is also a baker and photographer.