The Absolute Book
'An INSTANT CLASSIC, to rank [with] masterpieces of fantasy such as HIS DARK MATERIALS or JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR NORRELL’ GUARDIAN
by Elizabeth Knox
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Pub Date 18 Mar 2021 | Archive Date 27 Jan 2022
Penguin Michael Joseph UK | Michael Joseph
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Description
'An instant classic, a work to rank alongside other modern masterpieces of fantasy such as Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series or Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Everything fantasy should be: original, magical, well read, compelling' Guardian
'MIND-BLOWING' LAINI TAYLOR
'ASTOUNDING' FRANCIS SPUFFORD
'GORGEOUSLY WRITTEN' DEBORAH HARKNESS
_______
Taryn Cornick barely remembers the family library. Since her sister was murdered, she's forgotten so much.
Now it's all coming back. The fire. The thief. The scroll box. People are asking questions about the library. Questions that might relate to her sister's murder.
And something called The Absolute Book.
A book in which secrets are written - and which everyone believes only she can find. They insist Taryn be the hunter. But she knows the truth.
She is the hunted . . .
The Absolute Book is a tale of sisters, ancient blood, a forgotten library, murder, revenge and a book that might just have the answer to everything.
_______
'Astonishing. Gripping. Hugely ambitious. An extraordinary conclusion. Admire the sheer scope and grandeur' DAILY MAIL
'A marvellous argument for stories. There are Norse gods, references to Merlin, a tour through purgatory and a strange parallel world where magic is real and humans are bit players in the clash of supernatural realms. Bewitching' THE TIMES
'Contains multitudes, spanning the geographies of Canada, Britain and New Zealand; the cosmologies of fairies, demons and angels; and the genres of thriller, domestic realism and epic fantasy . . . I'm in awe of it' NEW YORK TIMES Review of Books
'Intricately plotted and gorgeously written, THE ABSOLUTE BOOK has something for everyone . . . Here is a cinematic tale that is by turns dark and dreamlike, yet ultimately hopeful' DEBORAH HARKNESS, author of A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES
'Fantastical' THE TIMES
'Savour and absorb the world Knox conjures' SUNDAY TIMES
'Gorgeous. The payoffs and reveals are mind-blowing' LAINI TAYLOR, author of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE
'An angelic book, an apocalyptic book, an astounding book' FRANCIS SPUFFORD
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780241473924 |
| PRICE | £14.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 400 |
Featured Reviews
Vikkie W, Reviewer
Fantastic read. I have been completely unable to put this one down. I cannot wait to read more by this author.
Full review to follow on publication.
Rosie B, Librarian
What could be more appealing to an avid reader and librarian than a novel about the search for a mysterious book, hidden in a family library for generations?
Taryn’s grief over the loss of her older sister Bea has left her reluctant to feel, unable to really connect with her husband and desperate for some kind of retribution. When this is tacitly offered, Taryn does nothing to prevent it, and is not sorry that shortly after his release from prison, the man responsible for Bea’s death is found dead. Years later, with Taryn now a successful author, the police are still convinced that she is connected to the crime.
Law enforcers are not Taryn’s only pursuers, however, as the publication of her book has revealed her knowledge of the existence of a much sought after book that has survived the destruction of several libraries, and has been in her family’s possession and on their estate in the Wye Valley since the Second World War. Inhabitants of other worlds believe that Taryn can locate this document, which will be the key to saving them.
Characters from different mythologies are drawn into the search for the Absolute Book, crossing through invisible gates into a magical, vividly depicted world, where a whole society and many souls are at risk from forces that are bent on destruction.
Deftly plotted and beautifully written, this novel works on so many levels. Not only is it an exciting fantasy thriller, it is also a study of the destructive effect of grief, acceptance and ultimate redemption, with a strong message of hope in its denouement. I was quickly absorbed in the world of the book, rewarded by the twists and turns of the plot and intrigued by the mystery surrounding the book. It is a book that will long live in my memory, and one of those that leaves you bereft when you have finished reading.
I won't be buying it for my library whose oldest readers are 11, but I will certainly be recommending it through book groups.
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