I’ve read (and loved) every single book Karen Joy Fowler has ever written, spanning a wildly different set of genres and topics. Unfortunately, I found this book very disappointing.
Our protagonist and narrator — Lainey Miller — is a marine researcher with a penchant for otters. Told in a series of vignettes, we watch her search for hope and maybe some fun in what feels like a devastatingly, collapsing world. The tiny bit of narrative (about 30% of the book) combines recalled childhood memories (random obsessions and a strange but interesting thread about Lizard People — an odd, but apparently documented mashup of ancient gnosticism and current conspiracy theories) and some funny and heartwarming scenes with her family members.
Excellent writing as always, but I missed having a real narrative arc, and wished for a little more story in the midst of the hand wringing. To be fair, she did include some positive scientific discoveries and policy successes, but they felt trivial in the face of the utter dread Lainey feels about the state of the world. In the last few pages — I don’t think this is really a spoiler as there is very little story here — Lainey does come to a decision about a personal attitude adjustment — finding a way to be more positive in her life — but unfortunately I found her insights to be more of the “shlocky” variety than anything I could find meaningful or inspiring. Perhaps readers who are also in a state of constant dread and anxiety about the state of the world will feel better hearing someone else expressing their fears, and will enjoy this book more than I did.
Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on February 23rd, 2027.
Books to look forward to ... 