Happy publication day to Chloe Benjamin!
I first heard about The Immortalists way back in February 2017 from Michael Kindness who is a rep for Random House and cohost of the now retired book podcast, Books on the Nightstand. Michael had just finished reading a galley copy and was so excited about the novel.
Since then I’ve seen tons of buzz about the book — at Book Expo, on book sites, and from fellow readers. My Book Cougars cohost Emily read and enjoyed it months ago. We’ve discussed it on several episodes, most recently on Episode 36 which just went live today.
With a book like this, one that has been getting tons of pre-publication buzz, there’s always the danger of setting up readers’ expectations for a let down. Don’t let that happen to you, Dear Reader. This is a solid novel, a page-turner, and it may or may not change your life, but my advice is to never set a book on a pedestal, because it is inevitable that some cat will come along and knock it off.
I reviewed The Immortalists for Criminal Element:
A sweeping novel of remarkable ambition and depth, The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin is a deeply moving testament to the power of story, the nature of belief, and the unrelenting pull of familial bonds, which probes the line between destiny and choice, reality and illusion, this world and the next (available January 9, 2018).
I have one sibling and often wonder what life would be like if I had a couple more, which is one of the things that drew me to Chloe Benjamin’s new novel. The other was wondering how she’d pull off a story about four siblings who have their death date hovering over their heads. Could such a premise be pulled off gracefully?
The answer is yes.
Read my full review over on Criminal Element.
Title: The Immortalists
Author: Chloe Benjamin
Publisher: Penguin Random House, January 9, 2018
Source: Advance reader copy via publisher at Book Expo
Other: #1 Indie Next Pick and #1 LibraryReads Pick
Bottom line: A page turner that makes you feel like you’re investigating a mystery as you read along. Also a bit disconcerting because you look forward to seeing when and how the characters die. A good choice for book groups that like literary fiction, historical fiction, and mysteries.
Can’t wait to read the Immortalists! Thanks for the review.
Hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
Great review, Chris. You’re right, it DOES sound like a thriller or mystery novel!
Thanks! I was happy to see that The Mysterious Bookshop in NYC picked it for their Unclassifiable Book Club – https://www.mysteriousbookshop.com/collections/pre-order-upcoming-titles/products/chloe-benjamin-the-immortalists
Thst cover artwork is indeed attractive. I hadn’t heard about this book despite all the buzz you mention but then I was trying hard last year not to see too much about new books because they would have enticed me to buy…so doing more damage to my stack of unread books.
Haha! This one will probably be a threat to many readers’ unread stacks. #readerproblems 🤓
I cannot wait to get my hands on this one!! 🙂
I think it might be right up your alley!
I got a chance to read an early copy of this novel. I found it to be magical in its presentation. I do agree with your review over on Th Criminal Element, it does have criminal elements.
Thanks for stopping by, Karen. It is magical.