Of Things Gone Astray, by debut author Janina Matthewson, tells a story of loss—but in a fantastical way you've never seen before. It begins on a seemingly normal morning in London, when a group of people all lose something dear to them—something dear, but peculiar: the front of their house, their piano keys, their sense of direction, their place of work. In the words of the author herself, "I was interested in how, in the short term we’re so easily upset, so easily knocked off course, and how quickly we can recalibrate afterwards. There’s a kind of dexterity to it, I think, how we step around things that fall in our path to simply carry on with our lives." This novel has become a true in-house favorite, as well as garnering a lot of early praise from booksellers all across the country:
"It was a great exploration of the process of dealing with loss, the different ways people take when change happens." —Colleen Schultz Joseph-Beth, Lexington KY
"This fantastical story will make you want to lose something just to see what you might find." —Claire Roser, Maria’s Bookshop, Durango CO
"Sweet, melancholy, and a little bit magical…This book is full of wise moments, best to be savored, but scattered with a sharp sense of humor in the face of life's unexpected twists." —Sarah Berman, Concord Bookshop, Concord MA
Make sure you check out this magical fable by downloading an egalley from Edelweiss today.
-Amanda