The Lobster Kings

Confirms what Touch already prophesied: Alexi Zentner is one of the greatest literary architects and mythmakers working today.

The Lobster Kings is a powerhouse of a novel. Alexi Zentner proves himself to be a writer of the first rank with this story of one woman's determination to carry on her family's legacy in the face of the encroaching pressures of modernity and the strictures of a patriarchal culture. The bold and endearingly stubborn Cordelia Kings is a protagonist we can root for, flaws and all, as she struggles to reconcile the past with the present.

Just as compelling as the dragons, mermaids, and selkies that may inhabit the waters of Loosewood Island are its year-round residents, besieged by tourists, art historians, and drug smugglers. With a knowing nod to Lear, The Lobster Kings follows a patriarch's fading powers and a dynasty's uncertain future in the face of a changing world. As in his wonderful debut, Touch, Alexi Zentner gives us a family saga that contains the origin story of a magical, once-timeless place where the past and present must inevitably collide.

An overridingly strong novel.

Award-winning Zentner's literary tour de force takes hold of the reader's imagination and doesn't let go. Extraordinary storytelling not to be missed.

Brutal and beautiful...[The] fusion of myth and mission, fury and beauty, as well as the palpable sense of place in this unique corner of the world add up to a memorable tale.

With its strong female lead and its evocative setting, this could well be Zentner's breakout book.

Campbell's versatility is on display as she deals with the wide range of characters of many ages and personalities. She's particularly adept at portraying the aging of the father and Cordelia's corresponding growth as she becomes the leader of the family. Campbell conveys the strong emotions the characters have for each other and for their way of life.