COMPANION PIECE

Award-winning author Ali Smith again lights a way for us through the nightmarish now with a provocative novel grounded both in the contemporary era and in the uncannily familiar era of the Black Plague. Companion Piece stands apart from her astonishing Seasonal Quartet, which remains discrete unto itself. But like Smith’s groundbreaking series, this new novel boldly captures the spirit of the times.“A woman receives an unexpected call from a former classmate asking for help deciphering a puzzling interaction, and from there, Smith spins out a broader story about loneliness, refuge and freedom." —The New York Times Book Review "Lyrical and timely . . . Smith’s novel will push readers to consider what it means to let people into your life, even when you don’t want to.”—TIME "A story is never an answer. A story is always a question."Here we are in extraordinary times. uIs this history? What happens when we cease to trust governments, the media, each other? uWhat have we lost? What stays with us? What does it take to unlock our future?  “Every hello, like every voice, holds its story ready, waiting.”