Eiren Caffall's first novel, a lyric yet gripping narrative, takes readers on a journey through a post-apocalyptic world where a great flood has submerged New York City. This debut, published by St. Martin's Press in 2025, introduces Nonie, a young woman navigating this new world in a canoe. As she paddles over the drowned city, her expedition carries her up the Hudson River toward the high grounds of the Berkshires. Priced at $29, this novel is not only a tale of survival but also an exploration of hope and resilience.
Central to the story is the preservation of knowledge. Characters in the novel have taken meticulous steps to document the invaluable information contained within the exhibits of New York's American Museum of Natural History. This knowledge is safeguarded in a logbook, which accompanies Nonie in her pack as she ventures through the submerged landscapes. The gripping scene where Nonie's family departs from the museum in an Indigenous canoe from an old exhibit is both tense and delightfully resonant.
Caffall's work draws comparisons to other post-apocalyptic American fiction, such as Emily St. John Mandel's "Station Eleven" and Alison Stine's "Road Out of Winter." Her narrative is presented through a journal maintained by former scientists at the museum, who weave a tale of hope amidst catastrophic loss. This storytelling approach allows readers to experience the beauty and wonder of Nonie's adventure, as well as the suspense and tension that accompany her encounters with various settlements and wildlife along her route.
The novel encapsulates a grand vision of a world made strange by disaster, where natural history emerges as a symbol of hope. Nonie's journey is not merely about survival; it underscores the crucial importance of preserving knowledge and culture in the face of overwhelming adversity. Through vivid descriptions and compelling storytelling, Caffall paints a picture of a transformed world, rich with both danger and discovery.
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