A highly contagious book virus, a literary society and a Snow Queen-like disappearing author

'She came to realise that under one reality there's always another. And another one under that.'

Only very special people are chosen by children's author Laura White to join 'The Society', an elite group of writers in the small town of Rabbit Back.

Now a tenth member has been selected: Ella, literature teacher and possessor of beautifully curving lips.

But soon Ella discovers that the Society is not what it seems. What is its mysterious ritual, 'The Game'? What explains the strange disappearance that occurs at Laura's winter party, in a whirlwind of snow? Why are the words inside books starting to rearrange themselves? Was there once another tenth member, before her?

Slowly, disturbing secrets that had been buried come to light...

In this chilling, darkly funny novel, the uncanny brushes up against the everyday in the most beguiling and unexpected of ways.

About the Author
Pasi Ilmari Jaaskelainen, born in 1966, is one of Finland's best-kept secrets. A novelist and short-story writer, he is well known for his fantasy and sci-fi narratives and has twice won the Kuvastaja Fantasy Prize given by Finland's Tolkien Society and four times won the Atorax Award for Fantasy. He teaches Finnish language and literature and is the father of three sons.

Reviews
Captivating ... the small town of Rabbit Back is like the literary equivalent of Twin Peaks, an idyllic and slightly chilling world that you won't want to leave. Aamulehti [The Rabbit Back Literature Society] has been described as a piece of magical realism, and the works of Peter Hoeg and Mikhail Bulgakov are not far from Jaaskelainen's style. Jaaskelainen builds multilayered worlds, and a plot like a ball of yarn which manages to surprise the reader time and again. Kiiltomato Magnificently multifaceted Keskisuomalainen The Rabbit Back Literature Society starts like a detective story... but ends up being a book about the love of writing and the mystery of reality Helsingin Sanomat Jaaskelainen's strong voice and rich, individual writing style make the book a special treat Savon Sanomat Pasi Ilmari Jaaskelainen's The Rabbit Back Literature Society does what Donna Tartt's Secret History did in the early '90s Ilta Sanomat This book contains many ingredients: fantasy, mythology, literary philosophy, time and memory... It's a novel with horror, howling dogs, and creeping shadows... But it also considers what writing really is, what the relationship between a "story" and a reality that doesn't conform to narrative means Suomen Kuvalehti A fantastically fine fantasy book. Such a fireworks display of ideas, that many lesser writers would have milked it for several books. Real fantasy that successfully mixes a small town milieu, local intrigue, and the "great artist" in the middle of it -- The Kustantaja Prize Jury Charming and intriguing, switching from playful to creepy to heartfelt and back again... good fun The Bookbag The Rabbit Back Literature Society is a lobster pot of a book... an exquisite balance of suspense, precision-engineered structure and darkly playful humour... fascinating. And fun. -- 5-star review SFX [The Rabbit Back Literature Society] Mixes the small-town surrealism of Twin Peaks with the clandestine-society theme of Donna Tartt's The Secret History The List Unnerving, enigmatic... Hints of Let the Right One In and Haruki Murakami's elliptical early science fiction novels flavour a creepy tale about mutating books, buried secrets and ghostly encounters -- James Lovegrove Financial Times A novel about big questions ... wonderful characters... amazing TQR Stories Charming, chilling and gripping from its very first page Bizarre Sly wit... characterises The Rabbit Back Literature Society Metro Wonderfully knotty... a very grown-up fantasy masquerading as quirky fable. Unexpected, thrilling and absurd -- Catherine Taylor Sunday Telegraph Highly recommended A Fantastical Librarian Thoughtful, intelligent, and at times playful, this story about Ella and her encounters with the Rabbit Back Literature Society will leave you smiling, and at times scratching your head in wonder at the imagination of the author... marvellous Ginger Nuts of Horror Odd, strange and beautifully written Books, Bones & Buffy A literature-loving and -affirming novel... unusual Complete Review An intriguing exploration of how stories can define us, and what it means if reality doesn't measure up Follow the Thread Strangely magical... a wonderful and unusual story The Stardust Reader



Book Information
ISBN 9781908968982
Author Pasi Ilmari Jaaskelainen
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint Pushkin Press
Publisher Pushkin Press