The Thing in the Snow: A Novel

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From the critically acclaimed author ofThe Heap, a thought-provoking and wryly funny novelequal parts satire and psychological thrillerthat holds a funhouse mirror to the isolated workplace and an age of endless distraction.

At the far reaches of the world, the Northern Institute sits in a vast expanse of ice and snow. Once a thriving research facility, its operations were abruptly shut down after an unspecified incident, and its research teams promptly evacuated. Now its home to a team of three caretakersGibbs, Cline, and their supervisor, Hartand a single remaining researcher named Gilroy, who is feverishly studying the sensation of coldness.

Their objective is simple: occupy the space, complete their weekly tasks, and keep the building in working order in case research ever resumes. (Also: never touch the thermostat. Also: never, ever go outside.) The work isnt thrillingtest every door for excessive creaking, sit on every chair to ensure its structural integritybut for Hart, its the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to hone his leadership skills and become the beacon of efficiency he always knew he could be.

Theres just one obstacle standing in his way: a mysterious object that has appeared out in the snow. Gibbs and Cline are mesmerized. They cant discern its exact shape and color, nor if its moving or fixed in place. But itisthere. Isnt it

Whatever it might be, Hart thinks the thing in the snow is an unwelcome distraction, and probably a huge waste of time. Though, come to think of it, time itself has been a bit wonky lately. Weekends pass in a blur, and he can hardly tell day from night. Gravity seems less-than-reliable. The lights have been flickering weirdly, and he feels an odd thrumming sensation in his beard. Gibbs might be plotting to unseat him as supervisor, and Gilroywell, what is hereallydoing anyway

Perplexed and isolatedbut most certainly not aloneHart wrestles for control of his own psyche as the thing in the snow beguiles his team, upends their work, and challenges their every notion of what is normal.

Reviews

A soaring conflagration of absurdity, mystery, and wry humor. This story reads like a Beckett play, in a Black Mirror episodewith all parts played by comedians. A compelling, imaginative, worrying, and hilarious commentary on purpose, priorities, and leadership. Perfect for anyone who has ever questioned why we let time pass, and occupy ourselves with busywork, when there are things of concern to face. Emily Austin, author of Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead "Who knew there was so much wit in hellThe Thing in the Snowis a mystery, an office satire, and a slow-boil study of madness. Trust nothing in this book save for its deadpan brilliance." Ryan Chapman, author of Riots I Have Known Sean Adams does a masterful job balancing wry humor, a mind-boggling mystery, fantastic character work, and a major creep factor.This is my favorite kind of book; a story of big ideas that demands to be finished and sticks with you after you're done. Rob Hart, author of The Paradox Hotel "The Thing in the Snow is mesmerizing, unnerving, and borderline miraculous. With a novel thats at once cozy and unsettling, Adams has composed a lucid anthem for both the brain-fogged and those whose perception is all too clear. . . I couldnt stop thinking about it until I finished itI havent stopped thinking about it afterwards, either, but now Im not so sure that I want to." Calvin Kasulke, author of Several People Are Typing Imagine Severance alley-ooped to John Carpenter only to be stolen by Kurt Vonnegut for a dunk on the other end. A subtle comedic powerhouse of claustrophobia and frigid workplace bureaucracy. Stephen Markley, bestselling author of Ohio "Eerily compelling." New York Times "Adams quirky look at a confined and isolated workspace also offers an almost Stoppard-like look into character development while making a rather bleak but humorous statement about contemporary working life. Though the world Adams created is spare, the reading mind fills every corner with all that is dreamed and feared." Booklist "The strange blend of satire, mystery, and psychological thrills make for a winning combination." Publishers Weekly Cutting satire. . . . A compelling narrative with unexpected twists and darkly comic turns. New York Times Book Review,Editors Choice, on The Heap The Heapis dizzying in scale, but at its heart its an endearing and downright fun story about a man who defies all odds to reestablish a familial link thats been sundered by technology, catastrophe and commerce.. . .The first great science fiction novel of 2020,The Heapis sharp, acidic and sweet. NPR LikeSnowpiercers train, a George Saunders amusement park, or the fractured cityscape from a Donald Barthelme story,The Heaps Los Verticals is a sardonic monument to our decadent culture teetering on the brink of collapse. A wry, inventive, and highly original debut. Chandler Klang Smith, author ofThe Sky Is Yours [The Heap] recalls elaborate dystopian scenes found in Terry Gillam films. . . . Irresistibly clever commentary steeped in wit and secrets. Booklist As intellectually playful as the best of Thomas Pynchon and as sardonically warm as the best of Kurt Vonnegut,The Heapis both a hilarious send-up of life under late capitalism and a moving exploration of the peculiar loneliness of the early 21st century. A masterful and humane gem of a novel. Shaun Hamill, author ofA Cosmology of Monsters

Author Bio

Sean Adams is the author of The Heap. He is a graduate of Bennington College and the Iowa Writers' Workshop. His fiction has appeared in Electric Literature's Recommended Reading, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, The Normal School, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, The Arkansas International, and elsewhere. He lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife, Emma, and their various pets.