Smiling at Grief in a House in a Forest Where Life Grows

A richly-layered, linguistically-daring and moving novel.

Post-pandemic, a tiny forest community gathers, bringing their ghosts and fears, hopes and secrets. And theirs are not the only voices. The forest also has stories of grief and resurrection, asking us what we mean by a life well-lived, human or non-human.Summer Solstice 2065. 16 years after a devastating pandemic and societal collapse. Viola sets off into the forest to prepare for the gathering of her community, who bring their ghosts and fears, hopes and secrets, knowing that a single day can change everything. And theirs are not the only voices. The forest also has stories of grief and resurrection, trauma and forgiveness. Linguistically-inventive and deeply moving, this richly layered narrative asks what we mean by consciousness or a life well-lived, human or non-human. Beyond the end of the world, where is life to be found?