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Instructions for the Drowning

By Steven Heighton
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3.86 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Instructions for the Drowning by Steven Heighton is a gripping work of general fiction that explores deeply human themes through its characters. The narrative delves into the lives of individuals who are unexpectedly thrown into tumultuous situations, each forced to confront their inner struggles and moral dilemmas. With vivid storytelling, it intricately examines themes of survival, redemption, and the complexity of human relationships.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate deeply introspective and emotionally rich narratives that explore themes of human connection, identity, and resilience. Steven Heighton's work often delves into the complexities of the human condition with lyrical prose that can captivate readers who enjoy thoughtful and engaging literary fiction.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A NEW YORKER BEST BOOK OF 2023
One of CBC Books Best Books of 2023
100's Best Books of 2023

"To say Heighton is an immensely talented writer is true enough but insufficient ... As good a writer as Canada has ever produced."
- National Post

The unforgettable last collection by the bestselling author of The Shadow Boxer

A man recalls his father's advice on how to save a drowning person, but struggles when the time comes to use it. A wife's good deed leaves a couple vulnerable at the moment when they're most in need of security—the birth of their first child. Newly in love, a man preoccupied by accounts of freak accidents is befallen by one himself.

In stories about love and fear, idealisms and illusions, failures of muscle and mind, and all the ways we try to care for one another, Steven Heighton's Instructions for the Drowning is an indelible last collection by a writer working at the height of his powers.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Instructions for the Drowning by Steven Heighton is a posthumous collection praised for its emotional depth and precise storytelling. The reviews highlight its exploration of the human condition with a blend of poetry, fiction, and memoir-like intimacy. Critics commend its portrayal of vulnerability, love, and tension, heralding Heighton's ability to capture poignant moments with clarity and an eye for detail. It is recognized as a significant contribution to Canadian literature, offering a mix of darkness and beauty while maintaining a sense of compassion and profound insight.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781771965354

Publisher: Biblioasis

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 19 October 2023

Country: Canada

Imprint: Biblioasis

Illustration: Illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 133.0mm

Height: 209.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 240

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Steven Heighton

About the Author

Steven Heighton (19612022) was a writer and musician. His nineteen previous books include the novels Afterlands, a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice, and the bestselling The Shadow Boxer; the Writers' Trust Hilary Weston Prize finalist memoir Reaching Mithymna: Among the Volunteers and Refugees on Lesvos; and The Waking Comes Late, winner of the Governor General's Award for Poetry.

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