Nocturnal Lifelines
The atrophied wings of the Homo arboris remind them of their ancestors’ ability to fly into the skies. Opulent mansions surround the lung trees, to which everyone must attach themselves for the night in order to survive. Rumours of the Mother tree spreading poisonous pollen and the creatures living on it’s branches circulate the balls and bacchanals that the nobility loves to throw.
Freedom seeking Katica is used to charming the aristocratic circles, until the fascinating art patroness Sera captures her interest. Katica’s brother is designing a flying machine to reach the skies once more. But that doesn’t bode well with the ideology of the Doctor Marquis reigning the high society. With a single act Katica destroys both her brother’s and the Doctor Marquis’ plans.
A spiral of revenge breaks loose, leaving the world shaken.
Nocturnal Lifelines is a mysterious, intelligent novel, a decadent fantasy.
Nocturnal Lifelines is nominated for the Finnish Literary Export / Torch Bearer Prize 2024
| Publisher: | Gummerus |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2024 |
| Formats: | Book, Audio Book, E-book |
| Cover: | Sanna-Reeta Meilahti |
Caption
”Katica tossing tickory tree cones into the fireplace,
telling lies,
dancing like the night would never end,
lying in a puddle of sap,
pressing her face against the inner surface of Sera’s wings,
gathering up stiff carcasses of toads.
Katica walking past an impenetrable bramble of thorns hour after hour.”
Reviews
”…an excellent novel about human-like creatures that tickles one’s imagination. – – Charming and moving as a whole. – – The characters in the novel are skillfully constructed, and the protagonists, in particular, are multi-dimensional and full of human contradictions.”
– Toni Jerrman, Helsingin Sanomat newspaper
“Nocturnal Lifelines is… a stunning revenge novel. – – Enoranta knows how to open up the structure of the spiral of the revenge and how to describe its violence, for both the perpetrator and the opponent in every possible way.”
– Mari Viertola, Turun Sanomat newspaper
”Enoranta’s eleventh novel is a splendid example of artistically ambitious fantasy literature. – – It is closer to surrealism than to Tolkien.”
– Artemis Kelosaari, Suomen Kuvalehti magazine
”Soulful and unique, immersive novel… – – This first class work captivates regardless of time and place, prompting the reader to reflect on their own choises and the consequences of those choises. Alongside the theme of nature, human emotions such as love, jealousy, selfishness, and the desire for power are universal.”
– Torch Bearer Prize Jury
‘The masterful way in which Enoranta describes the explosiveness smouldering beneath the surface and the impulses and unpredictability that initiate change and lead to a new period of development is the best thing about Nocturnal Lifelines.”
– Tapani Uusiniitty, Ruovesi magazine
”Nocturnal Lifelines tingles with exuberance, sobering, sensory-arousing insects and the trees’ cries for help. The non-chronological narrative reveals the story little by little, but remains clear and bright. Despite the sadder and darker themes, Enoranta’s unique world is enchanting.”
– Sini Helminen, Siniset helmet literary blog
”The best book of the year.”
– Jenni @mielenmaisemia, Bookstagram
