How High We Go in the Dark

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE 2022

FINALIST FOR THE BARNES & NOBLE DISCOVER PRIZE 2022

FINALIST FOR THE URSULA LE GUIN PRIZE FOR FICTION 2022

WATERSTONES AND ESQUIRE BEST BOOKS OF 2022

‘Haunting and luminous … An astonishing debut’ – Alan Moore, creator of Watchmen and V for Vendetta

'A powerfully moving and thought provoking read. At times sublime, strange and deeply human' – Adrian Tchaikovsky, bestselling author of the Children of Time series

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu is a breathtaking exploration of a world reshaped by a devastating plague. Set in Siberia in 2031, the novel begins with the discovery of an ancient virus, released from the permafrost due to climate change. This virus unleashes a deadly pandemic upon humanity, forcing survivors to navigate a transformed world where adaptation becomes a necessity.

The narrative weaves through a tapestry of interconnected stories, spanning not only across geographical locations but also across centuries. Among the memorable characters are an aspiring comedian working at a theme park for terminally ill children, struggling with his feelings for a mother fighting to keep her son alive. Another central figure is a scientist heartbroken from losing his own son to the plague, who finds unexpected hope as one of his experimental subjects, a genetically modified pig, begins to speak. And then there is a widowed painter and her teenage granddaughter, who embark on an extraordinary journey to find a new home for humankind in the cosmos.

As the characters grapple with their new realities, How High We Go in the Dark delves into themes of resilience, love, and the unyielding human spirit. The narrative's breadth is matched by its depth, presenting a future that is both fantastical and poignantly familiar. It is an intimate portrayal of individuals striving to maintain their humanity amidst unprecedented challenges.

Wonderful and disquieting, dreamlike and all too possible. How High We Go in the Dark reaches far beyond our stars while its heart remains rooted to Earth, and reminds us that our wellbeing depends on the wellbeing of our world – Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

Sequoia Nagamatsu's debut is a masterful blend of speculative fiction and literary excellence, promising readers a hauntingly beautiful journey through a world forever changed. This is a novel for those who ponder the future of humanity and find solace in stories of hope amidst adversity.