André Alexis Knihy

A slick, sophisticated mystery from the Giller Prize-winning author of Fifteen Dogs and Childhood.

These eight stories reveal a world that’s both recognizable and strange: cities of anxiety and violence, where quiet inhabitants lead outwardly banal lives that conceal sinister interiors. The premises, both fantastic and surreal, are also eerily plausible; they often follow the logic of dreams where the real can appear in disguise. Though geographically rooted, the setting – from Ottawa to Toronto and the South of France – take on an ephemeral dimension: the geography is of the subconscious. With his darkly philosophical bent and sly humour, Alexis has fashioned an underworld and limned it with light. Despair quakes with life and sings with the imaginative brilliance of one of the most accomplished new talents writing today.

Gulliver's Travels meets The Underground Railroad a road trip through the countryside - and the psyche - by the author of Fifteen Dogs.

Winner of the Giller Prize 2015 Winner of the Writers' Trust Fiction Prize 2015 It begins in a bar, like so many strange stories. The gods Hermes and Apollo argue about what would happen if animals had human intelligence, so they make a bet that leads them to grant consciousness and language to a group of dogs staying overnight at a veterinary clinic. Suddenly capable of complex thought, the dogs escape and become a pack. They are torn between those who resist the new ways of thinking, preferring the old 'dog' ways, and those who embrace the change. The gods watch from above as the dogs venture into unfamiliar territory, as they become divided among themselves, as each struggles with new thoughts and feelings. Wily Benjy moves from home to home, Prince becomes a poet, and Majnoun forges a relationship with a kind couple that stops even the Fates in their tracks. Engaging and strange, full of unexpected insights into human and canine minds, this contemporary take on the apologue is the most extraordinary book you'll read this year.

Set in Southern Ontario during the '50s and '60s, the narrative follows Thomas MacMillan as he navigates the complexities of his childhood. After being raised by his eccentric Trinidadian grandmother, Thomas is reclaimed by his mother and taken to Ottawa, where he encounters Henry Wing, a gentle conjurer who influences his understanding of science and imagination. This poignant and humorous tale explores themes of abandonment, identity, and the quest to uncover lost truths about oneself.

In this highly anticipated second novel, the author builds on the acclaim of his debut, exploring deeper themes of identity and growth. The narrative delves into the complexities of relationships and self-discovery, offering a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences. With vivid characters and a compelling storyline, the book promises to resonate with readers, inviting them into a world that reflects the intricacies of life and the journey from childhood to adulthood.