How High We Go in the Dark
notes
it is fun to pick up a book while knowing very little about the plot or setting.
this allows for the story to feel like an exploration into the unknown with each page turn. even more so when each chapter is slightly disconnected but loosely tied to a global setting that enabled the author to tell many different sci-fi stories as a part of one larger narrative.
i definitely have my favorites. overall, i felt the many stories inside each chapter offered a unique lens to the theme of loss that made the entire journey emotional, confusing and reflective.
link
summary
In Sequoia Nagamatsu's "How High We Go in the Dark," humanity faces a future shaped by grief and resilience. A devastating Arctic plague, unearthed by melting permafrost, triggers a wave of loss and transformation. Yet, within this darkness, Nagamatsu weaves a tapestry of interconnected stories, each illuminating the extraordinary ways people find hope and connection. From a heartbroken scientist seeking solace in a talking pig to a painter and her granddaughter venturing on a cosmic quest for a new home, this genre-bending novel explores the depths of sorrow while celebrating the enduring human spirit. "How High We Go in the Dark" is a poignant, thought-provoking journey that both challenges and uplifts.