Here Lies - By Olivia Clare Friedman (hardcover)

The debut novel from the "Munro-esque" (Houston Post) author of Disasters in the First World, Here Lies is Olivia Clare Friedman's visceral and portentous look at motherhood, friendship, and humanity in an alternate Louisiana ravaged by climate change.

Alma lives alone and struggles to grieve in the wake of her young mother Naomi's death, during which she failed to honor Naomi's final wishes.

Now, Alma decides to fight to reclaim Naomi's ashes, a journey of unburial that will bring into her life a mysterious and fiercely loyal stranger, Bordelon, who appears in St.

Genevieve after a storm, as well as a group of strong, rebellious local women who, together, teach Alma anew the meaning of family and strength.

With poignance, poeticism, and deep insight, Here Lies gives us a stunning portrait of motherhood, friendship, and humanity in an alternate American South torn asunder by global warming.

This is a stunning first novel from a unique and inventive writer.