The Guardian of Surfaces

"A necessary masterpiece, proving that true fiction is not an escape into a dreamlike Wonderland but a cautionary excursion into the depths of the human condition."-Alberto Manguel, author of A History of Reading

"Meaning, metaphor, and the material are all at stake in this sly fable of a near-future won by censors who ban not just books but imagination, dreams, and desire. I'd follow these characters anywhere."-Emily Drabinski, president of The American Library Association

"An urgent, sweeping call to arms for the protection of books and book lovers everywhere." -Kirkus Reviews

"Time will tell whether The Guardian of Surfaces possesses the same kind of world-changing verve of, say, Orwell's 1984 . . . In the meantime, call all your friends, and especially your enemies . . . and let them know that you've heard that Al-Essa's novel might, especially with its liberal use of unregulated rabbits, be even more dangerous than some already banned books."-Bruce J. Krajewski, Ancillary Review of Books

"An assertion of literature's importance and the persistence of imagination, this novel echoes canonized tales of totalitarian dystopia. In this story driven by intertextuality, we follow a man as he discovers humanity in fiction and finds the fear of difference at the root of censorship."-Nath Mayes, Carmichael's Bookstore

"A riveting tale that is part homage to books and reading and part social commentary on the horrors of authoritarianism. Full of literary references, it's a treasure trove of Easter eggs for those keen to spot every mention and every metaphor. But it is also a captivating story as we follow the book censor through his journey uncovering the delights and dangers (at least in his world) of literature."-Nicki J. Markus, author of Time Keepers

"Al-Essa's claustrophobic satire summons the spirits of Orwell, Carroll, and Kafka, serving as a sharp reminder to cherish free speech . . . [a] fast-paced meditation on the power of language to stir us out of numbness."-Farah Abdessamad, The New Arab

"Expertly infusing both comedic heart and dystopian warning, Al-Essa reminds us how lucky we are to embody the stories we love."-Jade Song, author of Chlorine

"Set in a future that feels all too possible, The Guardian of Surfaces is a clever and fantastical satire of book banning. Littered with literary references, it's a love letter to books and the enduring power of imagination."-Sophie Chen, Belmont Books

"These pages catch readers in a whirlwind of literary delights, while revealing the danger of censorship's dark claws."-Tonja Drecker, Bookworm for Kids

"An assertion of literature's importance and the persistence of imagination, this novel echoes canonized tales of totalitarian dystopia. In this story driven by intertextuality, we follow a man as he discovers humanity in fiction and finds the fear of difference at the root of censorship." -Nath Mayes, Carmichael's Bookstore

"Just like the New Censor, I found myself bewitched by this book." -Katherine Nazzaro, Porter Square Books