The Book of Speculation

(Paperback, Main)

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Description

For fans of The Night Circus comes a sweeping and captivating debut novel about a young librarian who discovers that his family labours under a terrible curse.

Simon Watson lives alone on the Long Island Sound. His parents are long dead, his mother having drowned in the water his house overlooks. 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 of 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. 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 his beloved sister, 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

In this dazzling debut, the immensely talented Erika Swyler
sweeps 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 *
Compulsive reading * Elle *

Author Bio

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.