FINALIST FOR THE ORWELL POLITICAL FICTION BOOK PRIZE 2026

"Smart and subtle... You'll read it, then want to read it again" - GQ

"This may be the best novel you’ll read all year" Telegraph

A writer returns to his college town to conduct the final published interview with his ninety-year-old mentor, Thomas. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when the writer loses his smartphone and arrives without a recording device, a crucial detail he finds himself mysteriously unable to disclose.

Narrative Exploration

What emerges from this dreamlike scenario is a profound meditation on the technologies that shape and alter human connections, those that preserve and erase memories. It is also a moving exploration of the defining relationships that forge individual identity.

Key Details

• Author: Ben Lerner
• Category: Biographical & Autofiction
• Recognition: Finalist for the Orwell Political Fiction Book Prize 2026

Specifications

Discover this highly anticipated work of literary fiction by Ben Lerner, exploring memory, technology, and mentorship.