The Absolute Book

An INSTANT CLASSIC, a work to rank alongside other modern masterpieces of fantasy such as Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series or Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Everything fantasy should be: original, magical, well read, compelling * Guardian *
Intricately plotted and gorgeously written, THE ABSOLUTE BOOK has something for everyone: the search for a mysterious book, talking ravens, police detectives and academics, gods and demons, a giant saltwater crocodile, the bucolic English countryside and magical gates to hidden worlds. Here is a cinematic tale that is by turns dark and dreamlike, yet ultimately hopeful – Deborah Harkness * author of A Discovery of Witches *
An angelic book, an apocalyptic book, an astounding book – Francis Spufford
Gripping and hugely ambitious, the broad narrative flood sweeps us on to an extraordinary conclusion * Daily Mail *
Gorgeous. The payoffs and reveals are mind-blowing – Laini Taylor * author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone *
A marvellous argument for stories. There are Norse gods, references to Merlin, a tour through purgatory and a strange parallel world where magic is real and humans are bit players in the clash of supernatural realms. Bewitching * The Times *
A magical book; doors between worlds; talking birds, vicious fairies and a trip to Purgatory. Stuffed with literary allusion and mythic echoes from the Norse legends to Alan Garner, straddling dimensions and hopping genres with ease, this is a one-of-a-kind fantasy novel that’s worth getting lost in * Guardian, 50 Hottest Books *
Epic, imaginative and exquisitely written, this is a feat of fantastical world-building * Daily Express *
Reminded me of how I felt reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell or His Dark Materials - this is a masterpiece – Dan Kois * Slate *
A triumph. Book where the best hearts meet the best minds meet the best imaginations are few and far between – Pip Adam

Elizabeth Knox is the author of thirteen novels, three novellas, and a collection of essays. The Vintner’s Luck won the Deutz Medal for Fiction and was longlisted for The Women’s Prize. Elizabeth is an Arts Foundation Laureate, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 and was recently appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to literature in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours. She lives in Wellington with her husband and son. The Absolute Book is already a bestseller in her native New Zealand.

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