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Essie Chambers is an author and award-winning independent producer. She earned her MFA in creative writing from Columbia University and has received fellowships from MacDowell, Vermont Studio Center, and Baldwin for the Arts. Previously, she worked as a television executive, and was a producer on the Oscar-shortlisted documentary Descendant, which was released by the Obamas' Higher Ground production company and Netflix in 2022. Swift River is her debut novel.
Truly amazing. Such an incredible blend of intimate and epic, so smart and funny and honest and generous-spirited . . . I love a novel this much maybe just once or twice a year. -- Curtis Sittenfeld, author of RODHAM and ROMANTIC COMEDY Complicated, frank, yet infused with that satisfying feeling one gets when you realize the missing piece to the puzzle is a sense of self . . . a sensational debut. -- Paul Beatty, author of THE SELLOUT A tender coming-of-age novel, a story of grief both personal and historical, one told with warmth and humor by a memorable, irrepressible heroine. Chambers writes powerfully about the bonds of family, the many ways people fail and save one another, and the human instinct for resilience. -- Rumaan Alam, author of LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND Just the book we all need to revive our souls. It's told with such grace, humor, and above all, heart. I could follow Diamond and her captivating journey forever. It's heartbreaking. It's beautiful. This epic novel deserves all the attention in the world. A must read! -- Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of PATSY and HERE COMES THE SUN A powerful novel about how our family history shapes us. Swift River broke my heart, and then offered me hope. -- Ann Napolitano, author of HELLO BEAUTIFUL A fearless, cinematic exploration of loss and inheritance, written with fierce urgency and overflowing compassion . . . an addicting mix of hope and suspense. -- Xochitl Gonzalez, author of OLGA DIES DREAMING Chambers masterfully weaves this story together, building characters and worlds so real I felt pangs of nostalgia while turning the pages. This is a voice I'd follow anywhere. -- Dawnie Walton, author of THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & NEV Diamond is a character to fall in love with - and an equal magic of Chambers' warm, deft and humane narration is the way that we come to see, through just one girl, her fractured family and her shards of community . . . the story of Swift River will go straight to your heart - it's a really special book. -- Lucy Caldwell, author of THESE DAYS
