However you want to label them, we hope youll enjoy discussing these books with us. Download the study guide simon watson becomes worried for the welfare of his sister, enola, when he is sent a book that once belonged to a traveling carnival and learns that many of his ancestors have died on the same day july 24th in the same way drowning. Keenly wrought characters and evocative prose complement a multifaceted plot that explores topics ranging from. Jun 19, 2015 in her debut novel, a discover great new writers pick, erika swyler explores the power of legacy and heirlooms to connect the past and present. From erika swyler, author of the book of speculationone of buzzfeeds best fiction books of 2015 a short story of a mermaid who ran away from the circus, and what happened when she started a life on land before she was a suburban wife and mother, paulina watson was the mermaid girl of carnival lareille. The book of speculation a curious book with a duel narrative,one set in the. Books about books can be tricky things, a fact that erika swyler slyly acknowledges in her generous yet somewhat disappointing debut novel. In 1986 in easter, a small florida space coast town, her dreams seem almost within reachif she. I can answer questions about writing, research, the importance of stem, growing up as a girl who liked science, and all things books. Erika swylers first novel, the book of speculation, mixed historical fiction and fantasy in an appealingly offbeat way, featuring a lonely librarian, circus mermaids and an old family curse. Voted one of buzzfeeds top 24 best fiction novels of 2015, the description on amazon says. Her follow up, little twitch, is forthcoming from bloomsbury.
The book of speculation book club kit lawrence public. The book tells the story of two doomed lovers, two hundred years ago. The damage renders it useless to me, but a name inside it led me to believe it might be of interest to you or your family. Interview with erika swyler, author of the book of speculation. But it soon becomes apparent that the events and circumstances in the tale are founded on the intertwined lives of people stretching back hundreds of years. Startelegram a wonderful novel, full of mystery through the centuries with great details about carnival life, similar to the night circus by erin morgenstern. Simon watson becomes worried for the welfare of his sister, enola, when he is sent a book that once belonged to a traveling carnival and learns that many of his ancestors have died on the same day july 24th in the same way drowning, which is. Sara gruen the book of speculation is a luscious experience dark, sweet, and wild. In erika swyler s debut novel, the book of speculation, protagonist simon watson has a lot on his mind. The book at the center of the story is as much a character as the. His mother, a circus mermaid who made her living by holding her breath, drowned in the very water his house overlooks. I am erika swyler, author of the book of speculation and. For fans of the night circus, comes a sweeping and captivating debut novel about a young librarian who discovers that his family labours under a terrible curse.
In erika swylers debut novel, the book of speculation, protagonist simon watson has a lot on his mind. I like flashy shoes, comics, baking, gaming, and american kitsch think lawn flamingos. Erika swyler is the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed novels light from other stars and the book of speculation. The book of speculation is one of the best books ive had the privilege to read. From the bestselling author of the book of speculation, a tender and ambitious vulture novel about time, loss, and the wonders of the universe. Watson, i came across this book at auction as part of a larger lot i purchased on speculation. Erika swylers the book of speculation inspired by long. Although it left me with some questions, swylers creation of mystery and mysticism that ensnare and connect the characters throughout the novel is. The book of speculation is erika swyler s gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books and family and magic. Like her debut, swylers new novel, light from other stars, bends genres as it explores how the past intrudes on the present.
Bizarre ecological events, a strange old book, and a collapsing house hold the clues to the curse of july 24th. The book of speculation by erika swyler overdrive rakuten. She lives on long island, ny, with her husband and a mischievous rabbit. The world of the traveling carnival in the 1700s was very vivid and interesting. Well, the book of speculation by erika swyler is right up my alley and i didnt even know it by looking at the book cover. Jun 04, 2018 erika swyler was born and raised on long island, n.
The book of speculation is by turns magical and mournful, a reflection of the ways in which the past can control us. A graduate of nyus tisch school of the arts, she seeks to make work that is in dialog with the arts, sciences, and history. Jun 26, 2015 at first blush, it seems that the story erika swyler is telling in the book of speculation begins with the delivery of a book. Carnivals, curses and mermaids fall slightly flat in. Ms swyler did a wonderful job of moving the story between past and present times. Swyler the book of speculation, 2015 intersperses this storyline with scenes from neddas future aboard the chawla, a fourperson interstellar vessel en route to a faraway planet when its lifesupport generator begins to fail. The first novel from author erika swyler, the book of speculation, will pull you in and keep you captivated to the very last page. Her essays and short fiction have appeared in catapult, literary hub, vida, the new york times, and elsewhere.
Not only is he about to lose his library job, but his seaside childhood home is in danger of toppling over a cliff. We want to mark drowning day by giving two lucky winners a chance to win a prize pack containing a copy of erika swylers the book of speculation, out now from st. Her writing has appeared in catapult story, vida, the new york times, and elsewhere. The 8 best curses in literature electric literature. Simon and enola watson come from a family of breathholding carnival mermaids, yet one watson woman from each generation mysteriously drowns on the same day each year. While this is partly due to a weakness on my part for circus stories, it is mostly due to erika swylers striking writing style and intricately woven narrative. Although it left me with some questions, swylers creation of mystery and mysticism that ensnare and connect the characters throughout the novel is bewitching, and the plot, new and refreshing. Carnivals, curses and mermaids fall slightly flat in speculation june 23, 2015 erika swylers generous yet somewhat disappointing debut follows a young man and a mysterious book but. In the tradition of sara gruens water for elephants, erin morgensterns the night circus, and elizabeth kostovas the historian, the book of speculation with twocolor illustrations by the authoris erika swyler s moving debut novel about the power of books, family, and magic.
Born and raised on long islands north shore, erika learned to swim before she could walk, and happily spent all her money at travelling carnivals. Everything you need to understand or teach the book of speculation by erika swyler. The book of speculation erika swyler 9781250054807. Jun 23, 2015 in the tradition of sara gruens water for elephants, erin morgensterns the night circus, and elizabeth kostovas the historian, the book of speculation with twocolor illustrations by the authoris erika swyler s moving debut novel about the power of books, family, and magic. We want to mark drowning day by giving two lucky winners a chance to win a prize pack containing a copy of erika swyler s the book of speculation, out now from st. Erika swyler, a graduate of new york university, is a writer and playwright whose work has appeared in literary journals and anthologies. The book of speculation by erika swyler thriftbooks.
Then a battered old tome mysteriously arrives one day. When a librarian receives a rare old book from a stranger in erika swylers the book of speculation, he discovers a door into his past, leading to a world of carnival performers with mysterious secrets. The book of speculation by erika swyler peanut blossom. Erika swyler this study guide consists of approximately 45 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the book of speculation. But author erika swyler has managed to make sense of these. Jun 23, 2015 the book of speculation by erika swyler. With a slight border into the fantasy realm, this tale is wellwoven and provides an opportunity to feel the impact the past has across a familys descendants and relationships. I am the author of two speculative fiction books, the book of speculation and light from other stars. Mar 01, 2016 im excited to announce the march pick for our book club for recovering readers will be the book of speculation by erika swyler. With a slight border into the fantasy realm, this tale is wellwoven and provides an opportunity to feel the impact the. To ask other readers questions about the book of speculation, please sign up. Elevenyearold nedda papas is obsessed with becoming an astronaut.
Unexpected final chapter to teachers career the hinsdalean. Simon watson, a young librarian, lives alone in a house that is slowly crumbling toward the long island sound. Erika swyler spent months making and binding manuscripts of her debut novel to. Erika swyler is the author of the new book the book of speculation. The damage renders it useless to me, but a name inside it. In the tradition of sara gruens water for elephants, erin morgensterns the night circus, and elizabeth kostovas the historian, the book of speculationwith twocolor illustrations by the authoris erika swylers moving debut novel about the power of books, family, and magic. Erika swylers mournful and magical the book of speculation. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. On a day in late june, simon receives a mysterious book connected to his family. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In this dazzling novel, the immensely talented erika swyler sweeps seamlessly through generations and centuries, moving deftly back and forth and weaving the strands into an exquisite tapestry. Featuring mermaids, swarms of horseshoe crabs, deadly floods, and the silent secrets of an ancient tarot deck, the book of speculation is split like a savory peach between the odd ventures of a traveling carnival in the late 1700s and the modernday discovery by. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of speculation.
The watson family in the book of speculation by erika swyler. And when the book within the book is actually magical, as it is or may be in erika swylers the book of speculation, well, let the wild read start. From erika swyler, author of the book of speculationone of buzzfeeds best fiction books of 2015 a short story of a mermaid who ran away from the circus, and what happened when she started a life on land. June 23, 2015 when a young librarian comes into possession of the diary of a traveling circus from more than 200 years ago, he decides the book may hold clues to a family mystery he needs to solve to save his sisters life. Carnivals, curses and mermaids fall slightly flat in speculation. The book of speculation is erika swylers gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books, family, and magicavailable. Book overview one of buzzfeeds 24 best fiction books of 2015 includes a bonus short story by erika swyler, the mermaid girl as simon, a lonely research librarian, searches frantically for the key to a curse that might be killing the women in his family, he learns. Jun 24, 2015 prepare to be swept away by the magical, mysterious the book of speculation finally available in ebook in the uk. Jul 23, 2015 thanks for stopping by my little book nook of the internet. Before she was a suburban wife and mother, paulina watson was the mermaid girl of carnival lareille.
Read a sample click to the right or left of the sample to turn the page. As simon, a lonely research librarian, searches frantically for the key to a curse that might be killing the women in his family, he learns. Erika swyler is the bestselling author of light from other stars, and the book of speculation. Tell us a little bit about your new release, the book of speculation. An interview with erika swyler washington independent. The characters in both time periods were colorful and engaging. Donna vorreyer about to publish her third book of poetry marathon runner native of forest park husband jeff is also retiring favorite quarantine read. Water shrouds the fascinating, often doomed characters of the book of speculation. Donna vorreyer never wanted to be anything but a teacher.
459 320 187 1311 816 1448 1482 375 764 1257 1050 89 294 544 647 134 1272 61 1498 948 1236 537 617 513 590 1281 1431 621 1354 1091 1309 744 1457 1469 799 847 724 327