J. R. Dawson‘s highly-anticipated new novel, THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is out today in North America! Published by Tor Books, here’s the synopsis…
The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a powerful and poignant contemporary Queer fantasy perfect for fans of Hadestown and Under the Whispering Door
At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, there is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly-departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives, before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.
Nera has spent decades watching her father—the ferryman of the dead—sail across the lake, each night just like the last.
But tonight, something is wrong.
The Station’s lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person — a living person — has found her way onto the boat.
Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.
The UK edition of the novel is out on Thursday, also published by Tor Books (cover at end). The audiobook edition is also out now, read by Lindsey Dorcus and Mara Wilson.
The novel received some great pre-publication reactions…
‘Greek myth, Jewish tradition, and slow-burning queer romance gracefully intertwine in this melancholy treasure from Dawson… the carefully crafted story doubles as an emotional love letter to Chicago and to life itself. The result is immersive, bittersweet, and wonderfully original.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
‘Moving and tense… A grim, authentic exploration of death for those who appreciate mythology-infused fantasy, such as Samantha Sotto Yambao’s Water Moon or Joanne M. Harris’s Orfeia.’ — Library Journal
‘Dawson writes with vivid and evocative prose, and a measured sense of pacing… a gorgeous book, both ambitious and I think largely successful in its ambitions. I enjoyed it a great deal, and I recommend it without hesitation.’ — Locus (Liz Bourke)
‘Gripping… a heartwrenching story that shines a beacon of hope.’ — Booklist
‘Gorgeous, lyrical, heartfelt, and true in all the ways that matter! This is an achingly beautiful book that is as much about life as it is about death. Haunting and healing and highly recommended!’ — Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop
‘In the deft hands of J.R. Dawson, death is merely a transition point. THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a poignant story of love and grief, memory and myth, and what it truly means to be alive.’ — Rita Woods, award-winning author of The Edge of Yesterday
‘A poignant novel about seeing the dead, and the business of getting them to where they need to go. But more, it’s a novel for people who feel confused and lost, and who need to learn it isn’t their fault. That it takes more than light to face all kinds of darkness.’ — John Wiswell, Nebula Award-winning author of Someone You Can Build a Nest In
