Owlish

Set in the mountainous city of Nevers, Dorothy Tse’s debut novel follows Professor Q, whose mundane life takes a fantastical turn when he acquires a life-sized ballerina named Aliss that springs to life. As Q becomes captivated by his new muse and guided by his mysterious friend Owlish, he navigates a world of love, mystery, and dark forces, all against a backdrop of societal unrest and oppressive regimes in an alternate Hong Kong. The story is a bold and inventive exploration of fairy-tale themes intertwined with contemporary themes of apathy and resistance.