The Book of Records

In Madeleine Thien's latest novel, readers are transported across centuries and worlds as Lina and her father seek refuge at an enigmatic enclave called the Sea, where past and future intertwine. Through her interactions with remarkable neighbors—from a 17th-century Jewish scholar to a Tang Dynasty poet—Lina explores themes of fate, history, and the impact of ideas on the human experience. With its deep exploration of faith, identity, and the cost of betrayal, the book offers a profound and imaginative journey that challenges perceptions of time and belonging.