At first blush, it seems that the story erika swyler is telling in the book of speculation begins with the delivery of a book. Waterdamaged and falling apart, the book logs the dayto. The book of speculation is erika swyler s gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books and family and magic. The book of speculation erika swyler 9781250054807. Jun 23, 2015 carnivals, curses and mermaids fall slightly flat in speculation erika swylers generous yet somewhat disappointing debut follows a young man and a mysterious book but despite rich language. A strikingly written debut, the book of speculation is reminiscent of the night circus, but with more grit and darkness. While this is partly due to a weakness on my part for circus stories, it is mostly due to erika swyler s striking writing style and intricately woven narrative. It is a log from the owner of a traveling carnival in the 1700s, who reports strange and magical things, including the drowning death of a circus mermaid. Carnivals, curses and mermaids fall slightly flat in. The book of speculation one of buzzfeeds 24 best fiction books of 2015includes a bonus short story by erika swyler, the mermaid girlas simon, a lonely research librarian, searches frantically for the key to a curse that might be killing the women in his family, he learns strange and fascinating secrets about their past. Feb 16, 2017 erika swyler author visit at middle country public library on july 14, 2016 as part of the middle country reads, an initiative jointly sponsored by middle co. The novel opens when an archival librarian receives in the mail a battered old nineteenthcentury ledger. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Erika swyler is the bestselling author of light from other stars, and the book of speculation. The book of speculation one of buzzfeeds 24 best fiction books of 2015includes a bonus short story by erika swyler, the mermaid girlas simon, a lonely research librarian, searches frantically for the key to a curse that might be killing the women in his family. Startelegram a wonderful novel, full of mystery through the centuries with great details about carnival life. The book of speculation is by turns magical and mournful, a reflection of the ways in which the past can control us.
Jun 19, 2015 in her debut novel, a discover great new writers pick, erika swyler explores the power of legacy and heirlooms to connect the past and present. And when the book within the book is actually magical, as it is or may be in erika swyler s the book of speculation, well, let the wild read start. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the book of speculation. Startelegram a wonderful novel, full of mystery through the centuries with great details about carnival life, similar to the night circus by erin morgenstern. Swylers lyrical prose blurs the line between the supernatural and the real, building a world that captures the imagination and. A sweeping and captivating debut novel about a young lib. Erika swylers mournful and magical the book of speculation.
Erika swyler is the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed novels light from other stars and the book of speculation. Her writing has appeared in catapult story, literary hub, vida, the new york times, and elsewhere. While this is partly due to a weakness on my part for circus stories, it is mostly due to erika swylers striking writing style and intricately woven narrative. Carnivals, curses and mermaids fall slightly flat in speculation. And when the book within the book is actually magical, as it is or may be in erika swylers the book of speculation, well, let the wild read start. June 23, 2015 when a young librarian comes into possession of the diary of a traveling circus from more than 200 years ago, he decides the book may hold clues to a family mystery he needs to solve to save his sisters life. One of buzzfeeds 24 best fiction books of 2015includes a bonus short story by erika swyler, the mermaid girlas simon, a lonely research librarian, searches frantically for the key to a curse that might be killing the women in his family, he learns strange and fascinating secrets about their past. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The story follows simon, a young librarian and the descendant of circus mermaids, whose family is. A novel by erika swyler and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Download the study guide simon watson becomes worried for the welfare of his sister, enola, when he is sent a book that once belonged to a traveling carnival and learns that many of his ancestors have died on the same day july 24th in the same way drowning. The book of speculation is erika swyler s gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books, family and magic.
May 31, 2016 and when the book within the book is actually magical, as it is or may be in erika swyler s the book of speculation, well, let the wild read start. As simon, a lonely research librarian, searches frantically for the key to a curse that might be killing the women in his family, he learns. In the tradition of sara gruens water for elephants, erin morgensterns the night circus, and elizabeth kostovas the historian, the book of speculation with twocolor illustrations by the authoris erika swyler s moving debut novel about the power of books, family, and magic. The book of speculation is erika swylers gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books, family, and magicavailable. The book of speculation by erika swyler books on books. Books are sensual and powerful objects in the book of speculation, but then so is the tarot, water, the circus, and love and lust themselves. Erika swyler writes with a whimsical, romantic prose that is beautiful to read, yet her story is. The book of speculation by erika swyler 2015, hardcover. One of buzzfeeds 24 best fiction books of 2015 includes a bonus short story by erika swyler. Packed with everything i love in a novel, from a strong sea theme to sideshow entertainers and a loveable but slightly exasperating protagonist, it is pure perfection. A tale full of magic and family mystery, the book of. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of speculation.
In the book of speculation by erika swyler we follow simon watson who was. I seldom buy brand new hardback novels by firsttime authors, but im glad i followed my book intuition and purchased the book of speculation by erika swyler. Since then, generations of mermaids in simons family have drowned always on july 24, which is only weeks. In this dazzling novel, the immensely talented erika swyler sweeps seamlessly through generations and centuries, moving deftly back and forth and weaving the strands into an exquisite tapestry. Erika swylers the book of speculation is indeed speculative, but in a fascinatingly fantastic way. In her debut novel, a discover great new writers pick, erika swyler explores the power of legacy and heirlooms to connect the past and present. The book of speculation is erika swylers gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books, family, and magicavailable june 23rd from st. When a young librarian comes into possession of the diary of a traveling. Her recent move back to her hometown on long island. Sara gruen the book of speculation is a luscious experience dark, sweet, and wild. Erika swyler author visit at middle country public library on july 14, 2016 as part of the middle country reads, an initiative jointly sponsored by middle co. From erika swyler, author of the book of speculation one of buzzfeeds best fiction books of 2015 a short story of a mermaid who ran away from the circus, and what happened when she started a life on land. In the book of speculation by erika swyler we follow simon watson who was orphaned. With a slight border into the fantasy realm, this tale is wellwoven and provides an opportunity to feel the impact the past has across a familys descendants and relationships.
With a slight border into the fantasy realm, this tale is wellwoven and provides an opportunity to feel the impact the. In the tradition of sara gruens water for elephants, erin morgensterns the night circus, and elizabeth kostovas the historian, the book of speculationwith twocolor illustrations by the authoris erika swylers moving debut novel about the power of books, family, and magic. The book of speculation is erika swylers gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books and family and magic. That quote, a golden oldie by george santayana, about the nature of history, just kept coming to me while i was reading the book of speculation, the smart and beguiling new novel by erika swyler. The book of speculation is one of the best books ive had the privilege to read.
Overview one of buzzfeeds 24 best fiction books of 2015 as simon, a lonely research librarian, searches frantically for the key to a curse that might be killing the women in his family, he learns strange and fascinating secrets about their past. The book of speculation by erika swyler is an absolutely stunning read. This book isnt about history with a capital h, but its a story about a family whose future and past are linked, by tragedy and love, and maybe. Books about books can be tricky things, a fact that erika swyler slyly. Before she was a suburban wife and mother, paulina watson was the mermaid girl of carnival lareille. Author erika swylers short fiction has appeared in womenarts quarterly journal, litro and elsewhere, and her work as a playwright has received the jane chambers award. Read a sample click to the right or left of the sample to turn the page. July 2015 indie next list hauntingly beautiful, the book of speculation weaves a spectacular multigenerational story of magic, love, betrayal, and redemption. But it soon becomes apparent that the events and circumstances in the tale are founded on the intertwined lives of people stretching back hundreds of years. This passion inspired her debut novel the book of speculation simons not having the best week.
1208 1113 313 347 1060 1364 531 605 1080 730 502 1034 16 1010 1389 657 1200 1199 153 29 955 416 642 760 727 1502 1167 793 651 426 1225 676 712 1062 348 1218 471 1 1188 774 57 1041