A discontented great-grandmother unleashes chaos across post-apocalyptic California in this âfuriously funnyâ (Colum McCann) and moving adventure
This scorching take on power in America is Shirley Jacksonâs The Lottery meets Yorgos Lanthimosâ The Lobster: imagine a Mad Max caravan led by a bloodthirsty Betty White!
America in the near future is the same, but worse. Thereâs no national or state government anymore. Only local authorities endure, and they barely function. The real glue holding whatâs left of society together is death. In this America, everyone who dies is celebrated in a lengthy, undeviating funeral rite led by the oldest member of their community.
Maxine is one such elderâ99 years old and living in Lakeport, California. Dogged by chronic pain and burdened by grief, one day her discontent pushes her to change the words of the funeral rite and, contrary to her expectations, the entire community follows her lead. Maxineâs rebellion begins to snowball, unleashing a spate of violence with consequences for the whole town, and eventually the country. Initially horrified, sheâs soon intoxicated by her new powers, and finds herself leading funeral rites that resemble political rallies or orgies of violence more than solemn ceremonies. When she launches a pilgrimage across the California desert, it triggers a confrontation with the remaining institutional forces of the countryâa confrontation she may not survive.
A furiously funny take on contemporary America, as well as a moving meditation on grief and how it binds us together, this utterly propulsive novel marks an exciting new departure from the author of international bestseller Legend of a Suicide.
A discontented great-grandmother unleashes chaos across post-apocalyptic California in this âfuriously funnyâ (Colum McCann) and moving adventure
This scorching take on power in America is Shirley Jacksonâs The Lottery meets Yorgos Lanthimosâ The Lobster: imagine a Mad Max caravan led by a bloo...