The Horses: A poetic and moving story of community and isolation in the wake of a disaster

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Janina Matthewson

The Horses

A poetic and moving story of community and isolation in the wake of a disaster

Janina Matthewson

$24.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Wildfire
29 April 2025

Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945); Religious & spiritual fiction; Fiction: special features

'A quiet and tender apocalyptic story' NATALIA THEODORIDOU

'Stayed with me after the final page' FREYA BROMLEY

A moving story of isolation and mankind's connection with nature, perfect for fans of Emily St. John Mandel and Jon McGregor.

Sarah wakes up one morning feeling that something big, something irrevocable has happened.

To the small island community of Black Crag, it seems as though the rest of the world has gone to sleep - aeroplanes no longer criss-cross the sky, the radios have gone silent and the ferry no longer brings their supplies.

When the ferryman Arthur arrives, traumatised and silent, the whispers about what has happened on the mainland quickly turn into heated arguments.

As the chasm dividing the villagers continues to grow, Sarah struggles to find her purpose amidst the chaos. With a harsh winter fast-approaching, will the villagers learn to work together in order to ensure their collective survival? Will Sarah find the answers she's looking for?

By: Janina Matthewson
Imprint: Wildfire
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm,
ISBN: 9781472299857
ISBN 10: 147229985X
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 29 April 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Janina Matthewson is originally from Christchurch, New Zealand and now lives in London. She trained as an actress and also studied English, history and linguistics. Her first novel, Of Things Gones Astray, was published by The Friday Project in 2015. She co-authored (with Jeffrey Craner) her latest novel, You Feel It Below The Ribs, which was published by HarperCollins US in November 2021. She also co-writes the cult-hit podcast, Within the Wires, with season nine coming soon. She has also written for Murmurs, The Cipher, and Passenger List.

Reviews for The Horses: A poetic and moving story of community and isolation in the wake of a disaster

The Horses is a quiet and tender apocalyptic story, as well as a propulsive mystery, at once gentle and formidable. I spent every minute of reading it in awe of its gifts. And when the horses arrive? A moment of pure magic that brought tears to my eyes. -- NATALIA THEODORIDOU, author of Sour Cherry Poetic and brilliant. Matthewson's writing conjured an atmosphere that stayed with me after the final page. -- FREYA BROMLEY, author of My Tidal Year