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A riveting story of survival and hope, set in the not-too-distant future, about a young gay man forced to flee the United States and seek refuge across the Atlantic.
As fires devastate most of the United States, Lark and his family secure a place on a refugee boat headed to Ireland, the last country not yet overrun by extremists and rumored to be accepting American refugees. But Lark is the only one to survive the trip, and once ashore, he doesn’t find the safe haven he’d hoped for. As he runs for his life, Lark finds an abandoned dog who becomes his closest companion, and then a woman in search of her lost son. Together they form a makeshift family and attempt to reach Glendalough, a place they believe will offer protection. But can any community provide the safety that they seek?
For readers of novels such as Station Eleven, The Dog Stars, and Migrations, Lark Ascending is a moving and unforgettable story of friendship, family, and healing.
Author: Silas House
Paperback Published 1 November 2023 304 pages
Read and Recommended by Graeme:
"This gripping dystopian novel is somewhat reminiscent of Station Eleven but what distinguishes it from other similar books is the fact that the main character is a young gay man. Climate change has sparked devastating fires across America and a repressive religious doctrine is enforced by armed militias. LGBTIQ+ people are targets in this new world. 20-year-old Lark and his parents become refugees who set off a dangerous journey across the sea to Ireland where it is rumoured a better life exists. This new world is a brutal place - major characters in the book die abruptly and senselessly. When Lark finally does make it to Ireland, he quickly learns that no one can be trusted - although he befriends a rare creature, a dog. Dogs had thought to be all but extinct in this cruel new world where humans struggle to survive. And as the bond between the young man and the dog grows, a glimmer of hope is also sparked..."