Amatka

"I recommend that you lay your hands on a copy." —Ann Leckie "An instant classic." — Jeff VanderMeer A 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... A Surreal And Shockingly Original Debut Novel Set In A Dystopian World Shaped By Language--literally. Vanja, A Government Worker, Leaves Her Home City Of Essre For The Austere, Wintry Colony Of Amatka On A Research Assignment. It Takes Some Adjusting: People Act Differently In Amatka, And Citizens Are Monitored For Signs Of Subversion. Intending To Stay Just A Short While, Vanja Finds Herself Falling In Love With Her Housemate, Nina, And Decides To Stick Around. But When She Stumbles On Evidence Of A Growing Threat To The Colony And A Cover-up By Its Administration, She Begins An Investigation That Puts Her At Tremendous Risk. In Karin Tidbeck's Dystopic Imagining, Language Has The Power To Shape Reality. Unless Objects, Buildings, And The Surrounding Landscape Are Repeatedly Named, And Named Properly, Everything Will Fall Apart. Trapped In The Repressive Colony, Vanja Dreams Of Using Language To Break Free, But Her Individualism May Well Threaten The Very Fabric Of Reality. Amatka Is A Beguiling And Wholly Original Novel About Freedom, Love, And Artistic Creation By An Idiosyncratic New Voice-- Karin Tidbeck. Translated From The Swedish. A Vintage Books Original--title Page Verso. "A surreal and shockingly original debut novel set in a dystopian world shaped by language--literally. Vanja, a government worker, leaves her home city of Essre for the austere, wintry colony of Amatka on a research assignment. It takes some adjusting: people act differently in Amatka, and citizens are monitored for signs of subversion. Intending to stay just a short while, Vanja finds herself falling in love with her housemate, Nina, and decides to stick around. But when she stumbles on evidence of a growing threat to the colony and a cover-up by its administration, she begins an investigation that puts her at tremendous risk. In Karin Tidbeck's dystopic imagining, language has the power to shape reality. Unless objects, buildings, and the surrounding landscape are repeatedly named, and named properly, everything will fall apart. Trapped in the repressive colony, Vanja dreams of using language to break free, but her individualism may well threaten the very fabric of reality. Amatka is a beguiling and wholly original novel about freedom, love, and artistic creation by an idiosyncratic new voice"-- Provided by publisher A LOCUS AWARD FINALIST ONE OF THE GUARDIAN’S BEST SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY BOOKS OF 2017 A 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. In Amatka, language has the power to shape reality. Unless objects, buildings, and the surrounding landscape are repeatedly named, and named properly, everything will fall apart. Vanja has come to Amatka on a research assignment but finds herself falling in love with her housemate, Nina, and decides to stick around. When Vanja stumbles on evidence of a growing threat to the colony and a cover-up by its administration, she begins an investigation that puts her at tremendous risk.