Sorrowland: A Novel

Written by Rivers Solomon

Narrated by Karen Chilton

"Narrator Karen Chilton gives a riveting performance in this genre-defying masterpiece...The echoes of Chilton's haunting and beautiful narration will reverberate long after this powerful audiobook is over." -- AudioFile Magazine

A triumphant, genre-bending breakout novel from one of the boldest new voices in contemporary fiction

Vern—seven months pregnant and desperate to escape the strict religious compound where she was raised—flees for the shelter of the woods. There, she gives birth to twins, and plans to raise them far from the influence of the outside world.

But even in the forest, Vern is a hunted woman. Forced to fight back against the community that refuses to let her go, she unleashes incredible brutality far beyond what a person should be capable of, her body wracked by inexplicable and uncanny changes.

To understand her metamorphosis and to protect her small family, Vern has to face the past, and more troublingly, the future—outside the woods. Finding the truth will mean uncovering the secrets of the compound she fled but also the violent history in America that produced it.

Rivers Solomon’s Sorrowland is a genre-bending work of Gothic fiction. Here, monsters aren’t just individuals, but entire nations. It is a searing, seminal book that marks the arrival of a bold, unignorable voice in American fiction.

A Macmillan Audio production from MCD

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781250804402

Rivers Solomon

Rivers Solomon writes about life in the margins, where they’re much at home. Their work has appeared in The Paris Review, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Best American Short Stories, and other publications. They are the author of An Unkindness of Ghosts, The Deep, and Sorrowland. A refugee of the transatlantic slave trade, Solomon was born on Turtle Island. They currently live in the United Kingdom.

Reviews for Sorrowland

[Donna Blackmon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

AUDIOBOOK: There are so many layers to this book, all of which are interwoven like the catalyst in the story. I am very impressed by this author and her ability to end the story. So often, I find book endings to be short or rushed but this was perfect. Rivers has just become one of my favorite authors, in 1 book, and that is near impossible. Can't wait to read more from her! By the way, if you get lost in the audiobook, try the print book, or vice versa.

[Anthony Childs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As much as I enjoyed The Unkindness of Ghosts, Sorrowland hits harder, goes deeper and stretches further, much like the life-form at the center its story. It ended too soon (from an enjoyment perspective) but probably exactly when it should've.

[Tracy Lucas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Vern is a pregnant child that is running away from a commune of sorts. Yet no matter how far she gets, something or someone finds her. With her twin boys, Howl and Ferrell, she tries to make a way in the forest around them while something awakens inside her.

And somehow, the further she gets away, it’s like she carries her memories of the commune with her-like ghosts.

This book was a good read. It was a bit strange and fast. In the end, it was a little heavy handed on the sex and what can be construed as anger, but it was good, nonetheless.

[Mary Cervantes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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This is my second book by Rivers Solomon. I really like their writing style.

Sorrowland deals with the happening of the past & present of Vern.

Vern, has always been independent & headstrong. When she decides to leave Cainland, a religious commune, she starts realizing the truth behind it. On the run with her kids, she starts a metamorphic process of sorts, giving her strength & health to survive.

I love how Cainland is described as another Tulsa & other massacres of black folk. This novel relates not just the hate among races, but also the inhumanity of medical experimentation. Solomon choose a strong female lead who is, not just different in appearance to her kin, but so strong-willed. Vern refuses to cower down — she seeks the truth, not just about Cainland, but of herself.

The story itself is filled with raw emotion, strength & horror.

4.5 stars, rounded up ??

[Stephanie Thomas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my top 5! The writing is amazing and the story line is so different!

[Kennedy Parrish · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

amazing writing and storytelling! it could honestly be poetry with all of its description, beauty, and intrigue.

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was super weird and I’m finding it really hard to come up with the words to explain how it felt to read it or what it was comparable to. I spent the whole time interested in what was happening, and discussing the WTF moments with my reading buddy, but I was never totally sure what was happening or what was coming - maybe that was part of the appeal. It was the good kind of weird that kept me coming back for more.

[Marie Salguero · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I rarely write reviews on this app. I finish books at awkward times or sometimes I just don't care to. But I loved this one so much. The story is everything. Sad, scary, infuriating and hopeful. I love it and I hope whoever is wondering if it's worth it will pick it up and love it too.