Amatka

Books | Fiction / Literary

3.8

Karin Tidbeck

A LOCUS AWARD FINALISTONE OF THE GUARDIAN’S BEST SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY BOOKS OF 2017A surreal debut novel set in a world shaped by language in the tradition of Margaret Atwood and Ursula K. Le Guin. Vanja, an information assistant, is sent from her home city of Essre to the austere, wintry colony of Amatka with an assignment to collect intelligence for the government. Immediately she feels that something strange is going on: people act oddly in Amatka, and citizens are monitored for signs of subversion. Intending to stay just a short while, Vanja falls in love with her housemate, Nina, and prolongs her visit. But when she stumbles on evidence of a growing threat to the colony, and a cover-up by its administration, she embarks on an investigation that puts her at tremendous risk.In Karin Tidbeck’s world, everyone is suspect, no one is safe, and nothing—not even language, nor the very fabric of reality—can be taken for granted. Amatka is a beguiling and wholly original novel about freedom, love, and artistic creation by a captivating new voice.

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More Details:

Author

Karin Tidbeck

Pages

224

Publisher

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Published Date

2017-06-27

ISBN

1101973951 9781101973950

Community ReviewsSee all

"Gay, dystopian, and very cool"

Clarissa Shepherd

"A queer, feminist, modern take on 1984. Beautiful world building in such a short book. I love having all the answers, but this book didn't care gave me only what I needed and I loved it. The ending probably isn't to everyone's taste but I don't think it could have gone better."

Poppy Lydamore

"Probably the exploration of the tunnels and "machine room". Have you read anything else by this author? "

Amanda Yates

"I ended up reading this in only a few hours. It was so engaging! Reminded me a bit of Fahrenheit 451, which is one of my favorites. If you're looking for a dystopian fiction novel to get lost in, add this to your list!"