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Peck & Peck
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Expected 13 Oct 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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100 copies available
U.S. only
The number one bestselling author of global sensation Lessons in Chemistry returns with an irresistible, delightful, and tender story about a young man whose life turns upside down when he is hired by the most prestigious, secretive, and dysfunctional poetry journal in the world: the renowned Peck & Peck of New York City.
Batter Gray is worried about his future. Even when he was eleven, his classmates seemed to have settled on a goal: doctor, lawyer, broker, engineer. Good jobs that automatically command respect, security, 401Ks. Now Batter is in his early twenties, living in New York City, and he wants something different; something that alienates some readers and bores most. Poetry. And yet—to him and exactly thirty-nine editors at a company called Peck & Peck—poetry not only represents the power of humanity but holds the key to its survival.
Batter is named after his mother’s heroic dog. An identical twin who lost his brother at birth, he finds himself confronted by the everyday dualities that make up life: right vs. wrong, truth vs. lies, rejection vs. acceptance. It’s almost as if his dead brother is a reminder: there are always two sides to every story.
No, wait. Make that three.
Batter Gray is worried about his future. Even when he was eleven, his classmates seemed to have settled on a goal: doctor, lawyer, broker, engineer. Good jobs that automatically command respect, security, 401Ks. Now Batter is in his early twenties, living in New York City, and he wants something different; something that alienates some readers and bores most. Poetry. And yet—to him and exactly thirty-nine editors at a company called Peck & Peck—poetry not only represents the power of humanity but holds the key to its survival.
Batter is named after his mother’s heroic dog. An identical twin who lost his brother at birth, he finds himself confronted by the everyday dualities that make up life: right vs. wrong, truth vs. lies, rejection vs. acceptance. It’s almost as if his dead brother is a reminder: there are always two sides to every story.
No, wait. Make that three.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
Bonnie Garmus
3 books15.5k followersBonnie Garmus is a copywriter and creative director who’s worked widely in the fields of technology, medicine, and education. She’s an open-water swimmer, a rower, and mother to two pretty amazing daughters. Born in California and most recently from Seattle, she currently lives in London with her husband and her dog, 99.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
Want to Read
April 5, 2026A new book by Lessons in Chemistry author, Bonnie Garmus? I'm there!
Read
September 21, 2026Another weird looking book 👀
Want to Read
March 22, 2026literally beyond excited for the next book from bonnie garmus' genius mind — this time about a young man working at the most prestigious publishing house in nyc: peck & peck 🤭📝
September 13, 2026
New York City, 1982. Batter Gray has just finished college, he loves poetry and while his friends have real jobs, he's stuck folding T-shirts at the Gap and working in a restaurant.
Peck & Peck is published quarterly, Batter is a huge fan and he applies for a job here, the owner is an odd ball Salton Peck and he finds himself stuck in a small room and with three photocopying machines. Not what Batter was expecting at all, at Peck & Peck all poems must be sent in exactly as specified by Salton, and the poet waits for a response, which can take up to six months and notified by postcard.
Batter has no idea Peck & Peck is the location of a battle between dysfunctional twin brothers Salton and Declonius and the latter has spent jail time for fraud, embezzlement, and is not allowed to enter the building.
I received a copy of Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus from NetGalley and Bonnier, in exchange for an honest review and I was excited. I loved Lessons in Chemistry and l felt confused most of the time reading the authors new book. All of the characters were odd, the only three I liked were Batter and his college roommate Paul and later his mum.
The only thing I understood was why the egg was a symbol of the three monthly periodical, it also showed Batters hidden potential and strength to survive in a brutal work environment where he didn't know who he could trust and three stars. Please don’t let my negative review of Peck & Peck put you off reading the novel as it might have a deep and meaningful meaning that I didn’t get and I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Peck & Peck is published quarterly, Batter is a huge fan and he applies for a job here, the owner is an odd ball Salton Peck and he finds himself stuck in a small room and with three photocopying machines. Not what Batter was expecting at all, at Peck & Peck all poems must be sent in exactly as specified by Salton, and the poet waits for a response, which can take up to six months and notified by postcard.
Batter has no idea Peck & Peck is the location of a battle between dysfunctional twin brothers Salton and Declonius and the latter has spent jail time for fraud, embezzlement, and is not allowed to enter the building.
I received a copy of Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus from NetGalley and Bonnier, in exchange for an honest review and I was excited. I loved Lessons in Chemistry and l felt confused most of the time reading the authors new book. All of the characters were odd, the only three I liked were Batter and his college roommate Paul and later his mum.
The only thing I understood was why the egg was a symbol of the three monthly periodical, it also showed Batters hidden potential and strength to survive in a brutal work environment where he didn't know who he could trust and three stars. Please don’t let my negative review of Peck & Peck put you off reading the novel as it might have a deep and meaningful meaning that I didn’t get and I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.
June 16, 2026
I loved it! I don’t know if I like it better than Lessons, but it’s just as good for different reasons. I found it humorous yet profound, and everyone should read it.
September 7, 2026
Bonnie Garmus did the unthinkable in her highly anticipated sophomore novel: wrote a book devoted to poetry, poets, and the people who love to hate it, and by this I don’t want to release any spoilers on a fine detail or lack thereof.
Peck & Peck is a quintessential literary fiction novel, based on Batter Gray (named after a beloved family dog), who snags a pivotal job at the prestigious, Fort Knox like quarterly poetry publication simply titled Peck & Peck. Batter finds himself entrenched into an unknown world, where family secrets lie, where editors are forced to reckon with the hardships of the publishing world, and the mystery of the Peck family unfolds.
Poetry both equally loved and hated, is a world where no one makes any money being a poet, yet everyone wants to somehow be involved in the creation of it.
The story takes place in 1982 though there are mentions of Bed, Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx, and Bose (long before they became household names). The story really dives into this era - no cell phones or computers. IBM Selects are used to edit the poetry. Copy machines were still pivotal office machines.
Peck & Peck at its core, is a love letter to the poets. It’s a secret world and Garmus wants in. As readers, we are invited into the building where 50 editors run amok, under the tutelage of the worse boss on the planet- Salton Peck. If HR existed, he would be handed a lawsuit a day. The building where the majority of the book occurs, is a character all its own, surrounded by dead trees, an Aviary, staircases leading to where the magic of poetry happens, much like a poem itself.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, despite most of the characters being unlikable, major lack of poetry actually in the book, because I couldn’t wait to see what Garmus was going to do with this unique story line.
Peck & Peck will be hotly discussed when it releases on 10/13/26, as it’s nothing like her beloved debut Lessons in Chemistry.
I was lucky to have a friend loan me a copy of her ARC!
Peck & Peck is a quintessential literary fiction novel, based on Batter Gray (named after a beloved family dog), who snags a pivotal job at the prestigious, Fort Knox like quarterly poetry publication simply titled Peck & Peck. Batter finds himself entrenched into an unknown world, where family secrets lie, where editors are forced to reckon with the hardships of the publishing world, and the mystery of the Peck family unfolds.
Poetry both equally loved and hated, is a world where no one makes any money being a poet, yet everyone wants to somehow be involved in the creation of it.
The story takes place in 1982 though there are mentions of Bed, Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx, and Bose (long before they became household names). The story really dives into this era - no cell phones or computers. IBM Selects are used to edit the poetry. Copy machines were still pivotal office machines.
Peck & Peck at its core, is a love letter to the poets. It’s a secret world and Garmus wants in. As readers, we are invited into the building where 50 editors run amok, under the tutelage of the worse boss on the planet- Salton Peck. If HR existed, he would be handed a lawsuit a day. The building where the majority of the book occurs, is a character all its own, surrounded by dead trees, an Aviary, staircases leading to where the magic of poetry happens, much like a poem itself.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, despite most of the characters being unlikable, major lack of poetry actually in the book, because I couldn’t wait to see what Garmus was going to do with this unique story line.
Peck & Peck will be hotly discussed when it releases on 10/13/26, as it’s nothing like her beloved debut Lessons in Chemistry.
I was lucky to have a friend loan me a copy of her ARC!
June 30, 2026
I really was enjoying this until it went completely off the rails and leaving me unsure of what Garmus sought out to do here.
Want to Read
March 23, 2026My most anticipated release of the year!! I will read literally anything Bonnie Garmus writes.
I listened to a podcast interview she did about this book, and I'm super intrigued...
I listened to a podcast interview she did about this book, and I'm super intrigued...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Started quite strong but reeeaaalllly dragged for the second half ?? quite disappointing
June 22, 2026
This book is DELICIOUS! Oh my. A little corny but I love corn. 🌽 The WHOLE TIME I was reading it, I wore a huge grin. There are so many great parts, put together into a PERFECT read. Such fun characters you want to befriend them , love them, hate them, BE THEM. Laughter, shock, tears, joy. All of it. DARE I SAY BETTER THAN LESSONS.. ???? You bet I do!!!!
Chapter 81. First line. Perfect quote.
Chapter 81. First line. Perfect quote.
August 13, 2026
What happens when a young man dreams of becoming a poet but finds himself operating three copiers inside the strangest literary magazine in New York? 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A special thank you to Kinokuniya Dubai for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
Peck and Peck by Bonnie Garmus is a highly anticipated second novel which centres on a young poet working at a quirky New York City literary magazine.
Batter Gray has never wanted the kind of career that promises money, security and respect. While everyone around him dreams of becoming a doctor, lawyer or engineer, Batter wants to become a poet.
His dream leads him into the strange and highly respected world of Peck & Peck, a famous poetry publication. What follows is a slow-burning story filled with humour, drama, rejection, secrets, suspense and unexpected twists.
Batter Gray grew up in Yuba City with an unusual name and the feeling that half of him was missing. He was born an identical twin, but his brother died at birth. His mother, Rainey, told him he was named after a heroic dog, although Batter never fully understood what that name meant.
In his early twenties, Batter moved to New York and lied to his parents about working in a print shop. In reality, he had entered the strange world of Peck & Peck's secretive and highly respected poetry quarterly.
His job was not glamorous. He spent his days operating three copiers inside a converted bomb shelter. Above him, thirty-nine editors argued about poems, commas and quail eggs. The office felt like a beautiful literary cult, complete with marble stairs, alphabet-shaped plants and a pneumatic tube system racing through the building.
Rainey was easily my favourite character. She is outspoken, clever, wounded and wonderfully exhausting. She can begin a conversation about being late and somehow travel through Christopher Columbus, typography, and Macy’s before finally criticizing Batter’s posture. Her long speeches are hilarious, although a few occasionally feel too heavy.
The middle of the book is slow, and some of the many editors are difficult to tell apart. A shorter version might have made the mystery feel sharper. Still, the final part rewards your patience as hidden truths begin to change everything you thought you understood.
Beneath the workplace comedy lies a thoughtful story about identity, grief, ambition, and the names we inherit. Batter believes he is searching for permission to become a poet, but he is really searching for the truth about his family and himself. Batter wanted to be taken seriously as a poet, but Peck & Peck seemed designed to reject people like him. As he tried to find his place, he became caught up in workplace politics, family secrets, romance, and a mystery that would eventually lead to his becoming Prisoner 83A0956.
Strange, funny, melancholy and completely original, Peck & Peck may not be perfect, but it has a voice unlike anything else I have read. 📚If you appreciate an expertly maneuvered plot, winding tales, and a narrative that strikes a deep chord in the heart, go ahead and pre-order this one. You're going to want it on your shelf.
A special thank you to Kinokuniya Dubai for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
Peck and Peck by Bonnie Garmus is a highly anticipated second novel which centres on a young poet working at a quirky New York City literary magazine.
Batter Gray has never wanted the kind of career that promises money, security and respect. While everyone around him dreams of becoming a doctor, lawyer or engineer, Batter wants to become a poet.
His dream leads him into the strange and highly respected world of Peck & Peck, a famous poetry publication. What follows is a slow-burning story filled with humour, drama, rejection, secrets, suspense and unexpected twists.
Batter Gray grew up in Yuba City with an unusual name and the feeling that half of him was missing. He was born an identical twin, but his brother died at birth. His mother, Rainey, told him he was named after a heroic dog, although Batter never fully understood what that name meant.
In his early twenties, Batter moved to New York and lied to his parents about working in a print shop. In reality, he had entered the strange world of Peck & Peck's secretive and highly respected poetry quarterly.
His job was not glamorous. He spent his days operating three copiers inside a converted bomb shelter. Above him, thirty-nine editors argued about poems, commas and quail eggs. The office felt like a beautiful literary cult, complete with marble stairs, alphabet-shaped plants and a pneumatic tube system racing through the building.
Rainey was easily my favourite character. She is outspoken, clever, wounded and wonderfully exhausting. She can begin a conversation about being late and somehow travel through Christopher Columbus, typography, and Macy’s before finally criticizing Batter’s posture. Her long speeches are hilarious, although a few occasionally feel too heavy.
The middle of the book is slow, and some of the many editors are difficult to tell apart. A shorter version might have made the mystery feel sharper. Still, the final part rewards your patience as hidden truths begin to change everything you thought you understood.
Beneath the workplace comedy lies a thoughtful story about identity, grief, ambition, and the names we inherit. Batter believes he is searching for permission to become a poet, but he is really searching for the truth about his family and himself. Batter wanted to be taken seriously as a poet, but Peck & Peck seemed designed to reject people like him. As he tried to find his place, he became caught up in workplace politics, family secrets, romance, and a mystery that would eventually lead to his becoming Prisoner 83A0956.
Strange, funny, melancholy and completely original, Peck & Peck may not be perfect, but it has a voice unlike anything else I have read. 📚If you appreciate an expertly maneuvered plot, winding tales, and a narrative that strikes a deep chord in the heart, go ahead and pre-order this one. You're going to want it on your shelf.
September 13, 2026
Batter, named after his Mother’s famous dog, has always been obsessed with poetry. At a young age a librarian introduced him to the illustrious Peck & Peck, a poetry quarterly. From that moment poetry is his guide even if his college counselor prefers accounting. So what happens when he gets his dream job and gets put square between the twin Peck brothers? Well chaos and calamity ensure. This is poetry after all.
Read
September 5, 2026Lead tow face of coine to be mine
its not birdsin
sit chrestofer colombos sail at sea of poems
fun to laugh at thee
detremain to have best hike
due to dived at yallow paige
sinke to hold rare dream
best affair
take a prize
words as flawer be
atted far from thee
suspict one dream
poems
its not birdsin
sit chrestofer colombos sail at sea of poems
fun to laugh at thee
detremain to have best hike
due to dived at yallow paige
sinke to hold rare dream
best affair
take a prize
words as flawer be
atted far from thee
suspict one dream
poems
September 13, 2026
Holy smokes what a book! Six stars BONNIE I could kiss you on the lips. I don’t know what kinda crack you put into your books but bravo keep at it sis, I need my grubby little hands on this ASAP. Batter Gray, Paul, Andy, the pecks, and all the editors there was so many characters but they all played such a strong role in batters life from college to post grad and the one thing that stuck by him was poetry. The ending was wonderfully tied up and each section flowed with purpose. Thank you NetGalley for the arc. 🖤
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved Lessons in Chemistry so much that I wanted to love Peck & Peck as well, but this slow-moving novel about poetry simply didn't work for me on any level. The plot was preposterous, but not in an entertaining way. The characters were unbelievable and, for the most part, irritating. The frequent discussions of fonts were clearly intended to be charming and enlightening but just came across as annoying. The tacked-on love story served zero purpose and wasn't believable in any way. And don't even get me started on the fact that the "bad" character shouted his confession in a big courtroom scene at the climax of the novel. And then there was the later confession by the other "bad" character that just made me roll my eyes.
What made this novel especially disappointing was the fact that it had the kernel of an interesting idea, which got buried under a pile (or, more accurately, an avalanche) of twee nonsense. The editors should have encouraged Bonnie Garmus to write several more drafts of Peck & Peck before publishing it. Let's hope her editors do a better job guiding her next time.
Skip this turkey of a novel, and reread Lessons in Chemistry instead.
What made this novel especially disappointing was the fact that it had the kernel of an interesting idea, which got buried under a pile (or, more accurately, an avalanche) of twee nonsense. The editors should have encouraged Bonnie Garmus to write several more drafts of Peck & Peck before publishing it. Let's hope her editors do a better job guiding her next time.
Skip this turkey of a novel, and reread Lessons in Chemistry instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2026
I very much looked forward to reading this second novel by Bonnie Garmus. Lessons in Chemistry was an amazing reading surprise. This second novel disappointed me. The first half of the novel is very slow, a bit tedious, but I persisted. Much more activity in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome my initial reaction.
Did Not Finish
August 26, 2026Going to DNF this. I can’t believe this is the same author who wrote Lessons in Chemistry—it feels so different! It sort of felt like it read like a Juvenille Fic novel just because of the narrative voice and style and I didn’t enjoy that. Also just wasn’t sure what we were doing with the plot. It seemed aimless and like all these random things were being thrown in and I couldn’t understand why. I started to feel dread picking this book up again and again and don’t feel like it’s going to get better for me.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in advance.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in advance.
Want to Read
April 2, 2026I have eagerly been awaiting more Garmus novels since Lessons in Chemistry! October, you cannot come soon enough :)
June 6, 2026
“Life is full of judgment, but that doesn’t mean the judges are always right.”
Please excuse me while I nurse this book hangover for the next 5-10 business days.
Please excuse me while I nurse this book hangover for the next 5-10 business days.
Want to Read
September 13, 2026I'm heeding warnings of early reviewers saying that this is not a repeat of her wildly successful debut Lessons in Chemistry. But actually, the premise of this new one - a bizarre workplace novel set inside an old-school literary institution in the 1980s - sounds MUCH more like my cup of tea anyway!
Click here to hear more about this book and my other anticipated releases of the upcoming quarter over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!
Click here to hear more about this book and my other anticipated releases of the upcoming quarter over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!
September 12, 2026
I loved every second of this novel. Peck & Peck is a story of so much more than poetry - although, it did leave me with a sense I should read more of it. Garmus successfully weaves together stories of growing up and learning what it means to truly know the people in our lives, with overtones of mystery, intrigue, and arson. Batter is a character you want to root for from page one, despite his flaws and blind spots. There was a line, towards the end of the book, that I will insert after publishing, that knocked my absolute socks off. I finished this book nearly a week ago and it is still rattling around inside my head.
An easy recommendation to literally everyone I know.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me access to the Advanced Reader Copy.
An easy recommendation to literally everyone I know.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me access to the Advanced Reader Copy.
August 22, 2026
This was a delightful read ✨
July 31, 2026
An absolute delight! Garmus creates a world where poetry is beloved, families are complicated, and a dog (once again) saves the day. Fans will be delighted at this creative, enjoyable world.
This was an ARC.
This was an ARC.
August 30, 2026
A quirky, tedious read into the literary world. I loved Batter!
July 7, 2026
It must be incredibly difficult to write a second novel that lives up to readers’ enormous expectations, especially when you’re Bonnie Garmus and your debut was Lessons in Chemistry.
But Peck & Peck pulls it off! It’s a triumph of story telling, with excellent and unforgettable characters, and a celebration of the arts.
A love letter to poetry, this novel is narrated by the excellently named Batter Gray. It’s the 1980s in New York City and Batter is a recent graduate with a skill no one values - an ‘ear’ for poetry. Anxious about his future, Batter unexpectedly lands a dream job at prestigious poetry quarterly Peck & Peck only to become embroiled in a secret war between the famous Peck twin brothers.
For me it didn’t quite have the dazzle and poignancy of Lessons in Chemistry, but this is still a charming and bubbly novel that will lift your mood in seconds. Garmus has again dusted off a subject that, let’s be frank, some might dismiss as niche and unsexy turning it into something stylish, witty and captivating. While the story becomes quite theatrical and the pace rushed, I loved the eccentric cast of characters and their many peculiarities. I also admired the allegorical threads connecting Batter, Peck & Peck, and the egg symbolism.
I predict Batter Gray is going to become as iconic as Elizabeth Zott.
But Peck & Peck pulls it off! It’s a triumph of story telling, with excellent and unforgettable characters, and a celebration of the arts.
A love letter to poetry, this novel is narrated by the excellently named Batter Gray. It’s the 1980s in New York City and Batter is a recent graduate with a skill no one values - an ‘ear’ for poetry. Anxious about his future, Batter unexpectedly lands a dream job at prestigious poetry quarterly Peck & Peck only to become embroiled in a secret war between the famous Peck twin brothers.
For me it didn’t quite have the dazzle and poignancy of Lessons in Chemistry, but this is still a charming and bubbly novel that will lift your mood in seconds. Garmus has again dusted off a subject that, let’s be frank, some might dismiss as niche and unsexy turning it into something stylish, witty and captivating. While the story becomes quite theatrical and the pace rushed, I loved the eccentric cast of characters and their many peculiarities. I also admired the allegorical threads connecting Batter, Peck & Peck, and the egg symbolism.
I predict Batter Gray is going to become as iconic as Elizabeth Zott.
July 7, 2026
Fresh, funny and full of heart (4.5 stars)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you are expecting anything like her first novel, please don’t. This is completely different from her debut and I must say a very refreshing take on poetry arts.
We met Batter Gray whose name honours his mother’s heroic dog. However he didn’t like it because everyone assumed it was just a nickname.
When he was young, Batter always dreamed of being a poet, even though his teachers and parents kept pushing him to consider other options, ones that would allow him to make a living.
Working as a copier at Peck & Peck, he uncovered a wealth of drama and secrets among his colleagues.
The homage to poetry and the beauty of typeface were truly lovely. I laughed throughout this witty and original novel.
This was a refreshing departure from Lessons in Chemistry showcasing the author’s versatility in tackling diverse subjects and styles. I thoroughly enjoyed the nerdy focus on typeface and publishing angle of this book. This was such a fun novel and a must read for every Bonnie Garmus Fans!
We met Batter Gray whose name honours his mother’s heroic dog. However he didn’t like it because everyone assumed it was just a nickname.
When he was young, Batter always dreamed of being a poet, even though his teachers and parents kept pushing him to consider other options, ones that would allow him to make a living.
Working as a copier at Peck & Peck, he uncovered a wealth of drama and secrets among his colleagues.
The homage to poetry and the beauty of typeface were truly lovely. I laughed throughout this witty and original novel.
This was a refreshing departure from Lessons in Chemistry showcasing the author’s versatility in tackling diverse subjects and styles. I thoroughly enjoyed the nerdy focus on typeface and publishing angle of this book. This was such a fun novel and a must read for every Bonnie Garmus Fans!
June 5, 2026
This book is a masterpiece. I love Batter.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lessons in Chemistry was one of the best first novels I've read in recent memory, so Peck & Peck certainly came with a hefty (and probably unfair) amount of expectation. I'm happy to say Bonnie Garmus is not a one-hit wonder.
Garmus takes you into her world with ease and it's a world--poetry--that logistically, I don't have any interest in, if I'm honest. I'm following Garmus here, and she and her characters and her dialogue keep the story alive and interesting and moving. The cast becomes so large after a while that it's both impressive and daunting that she is keeping all these balls in the air without losing track of it all. This includes two of the best supporting character turns I've read in years.
It's a wonderful thing that Garmus doesn't let her research get in the way of a good story. She manages to evoke a feeling a gigantic knowledge of her subject and even create a mild interest in the reader without making the mistake of showing off her knowledge and, at the same time, completely bogging down the story. There's always--and this has been the case with Garmus from page one--a polish here that's so impressive for just two novels.
The one area of Peck that may falter is that all these wonderful characters ultimately land somewhere at the finish of the story, and Garmus, wants to detail all their paths, and thus the ending, and all its machinations, is far too long. Too detailed. Loses too much momentum. It's a lovely cast, but some of the supporting players and their endings could've been left to the imagination and the story would've been better for it. Readers who like getting out all the ribbons and seeing every storyline tied off might revel in the back end of Peck, but I found it a slow dribble on an otherwise snapping, great story.
With two great novels in the bag, Garmus has done something really hard to do and something worth celebrating. I can't wait to read her again, and I hope she continues to show us her talent and the incredible polish it comes with.
Recommended for all readers, particularly those who found Lessons in Chemistry wonderful. Garmus is a talent worth reading for anyone who likes fiction.
Thank you to Scribner for providing an uncorrected DRC via NetGalley.
Garmus takes you into her world with ease and it's a world--poetry--that logistically, I don't have any interest in, if I'm honest. I'm following Garmus here, and she and her characters and her dialogue keep the story alive and interesting and moving. The cast becomes so large after a while that it's both impressive and daunting that she is keeping all these balls in the air without losing track of it all. This includes two of the best supporting character turns I've read in years.
It's a wonderful thing that Garmus doesn't let her research get in the way of a good story. She manages to evoke a feeling a gigantic knowledge of her subject and even create a mild interest in the reader without making the mistake of showing off her knowledge and, at the same time, completely bogging down the story. There's always--and this has been the case with Garmus from page one--a polish here that's so impressive for just two novels.
The one area of Peck that may falter is that all these wonderful characters ultimately land somewhere at the finish of the story, and Garmus, wants to detail all their paths, and thus the ending, and all its machinations, is far too long. Too detailed. Loses too much momentum. It's a lovely cast, but some of the supporting players and their endings could've been left to the imagination and the story would've been better for it. Readers who like getting out all the ribbons and seeing every storyline tied off might revel in the back end of Peck, but I found it a slow dribble on an otherwise snapping, great story.
With two great novels in the bag, Garmus has done something really hard to do and something worth celebrating. I can't wait to read her again, and I hope she continues to show us her talent and the incredible polish it comes with.
Recommended for all readers, particularly those who found Lessons in Chemistry wonderful. Garmus is a talent worth reading for anyone who likes fiction.
Thank you to Scribner for providing an uncorrected DRC via NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews