Bloomsbury presents How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu, read by Jason Culp, Stephanie Komure, Micky Shiloah, Joe Knezevich, Brianna Ishibashi, Kotaro Watanabe, Matthew Bridges, Kurt Kanazawa, Greg Watanabe, Jeanne Sakata, MacLeod Andrews, Keisuke Hoashi, Brian Nishii and Julia Whelan. For fans of Cloud Atlas and Station Eleven, Sequoia Nagamatsu's debut is a wildly imaginative, genre-bending work spanning generations across the globe as humanity struggles to rebuild itself in the aftermath of a climate plague. Dr Cliff Miyashiro arrives in the Arctic Circle to continue his recently deceased daughter’s research, only to discover a virus, newly unearthed from melting permafrost. The plague unleashed reshapes life on earth for generations. Yet even while struggling to counter this destructive force, humanity stubbornly persists in myriad moving and ever inventive ways. Among those adjusting to this new normal are an aspiring comedian, employed by a theme park designed for terminally ill children, who falls in love with a mother trying desperately to keep her son alive; a scientist who, having failed to save his own son from the plague, gets a second chance at fatherhood when one of his test subjects - a pig - develops human speech; a man who, after recovering from his own coma, plans a block party for his neighbours who have also woken up to find that they alone have survived their families and a widowed painter and her teenaged granddaughter who must set off on cosmic quest to locate a new home planet. From funerary skyscrapers to hotels for the dead, How High We Go in the Dark follows a cast of intricately linked characters spanning hundreds of years as humanity endeavours to restore the delicate balance of the world. This is a story of unshakable hope that crosses literary lines to give us a world rebuilding itself through an endless capacity for love, resilience and reinvention.
Navigating Humanity's Resilience: A Deep Dive into "How High We Go in the Dark" by Sequoia Nagamatsu
Sequoia Nagamatsu’s debut novel, "How High We Go in the Dark," is a profound exploration of humanity's resilience in the face of catastrophic events. This genre-defying work of speculative fiction intertwines multiple narratives spanning generations, crafting a rich tapestry of human experiences amid a devastating pandemic.
At the heart of the novel is an ancient plague, released from the melting permafrost of the Arctic Circle in the not-too-distant future. This deadly pathogen, unlike anything the modern world has seen, sets the stage for a series of interwoven stories that examine the myriad ways humanity adapts, mourns, and ultimately survives.
The novel opens with Dr. Cliff Miyashiro, an archaeologist grieving the recent loss of his daughter, who travels to the Arctic to continue her research. This initial storyline sets the tone for the book, establishing a world where scientific discovery and personal loss are inextricably linked. As the plague spreads, the narrative shifts focus to various characters across different times and places, each grappling with the new reality in their own way.
One of the most striking aspects of "How High We Go in the Dark" is its narrative structure. Nagamatsu employs a series of interconnected short stories, each with its own protagonist, to build a cohesive yet fragmented picture of a world in turmoil. This approach allows readers to see the global and temporal scope of the pandemic's impact while maintaining a deeply personal connection to each character’s journey.
The stories range from the eerily plausible to the fantastically surreal. In one, a cynical employee at a theme park designed for terminally ill children finds unexpected love and hope in the midst of despair. In another, a scientist, haunted by the failure to save his own son, discovers a second chance at fatherhood when one of his test subjects—a pig—develops the capacity for human speech. These tales, though steeped in sorrow and loss, also brim with moments of unexpected tenderness and resilience.
Nagamatsu's writing is both economical and evocative, managing to convey deep emotional truths with a precision that is often breathtaking. His prose captures the stark beauty of a world in decline and the fragile hope that persists even in the darkest times. This balance between despair and hope is a central theme of the novel, making it a poignant reflection on the human condition.
The novel’s exploration of societal changes in the face of massive death is particularly compelling. Nagamatsu imagines a world where capitalist enterprises adapt to the new normal, creating eulogy hotel chains and euthanasia theme parks. These concepts, while bleak, are presented with a human touch that prevents the narrative from becoming a dystopian nightmare. Instead, they serve as a backdrop for the personal stories of love, loss, and connection that drive the novel forward.
Comparisons to David Mitchell’s "Cloud Atlas" and Emily St. John Mandel’s "Station Eleven" are inevitable, given the book's structure and themes. However, "How High We Go in the Dark" distinguishes itself with its focus on emotional resonance over intellectual cleverness. Nagamatsu is less concerned with showing off narrative acrobatics and more invested in revealing the beating heart at the center of his stories.
Despite its somber subject matter, the novel is ultimately a testament to the enduring power of hope and human connection. Nagamatsu’s vision of a world grappling with and eventually overcoming an unprecedented crisis is both haunting and uplifting. It reminds us that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, humanity's capacity for love, resilience, and reinvention remains a constant.
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Sequoia Nagamatsu, An American Novelist, Short Story Writer and Professor 
Crafting Universes of Connection and Contemplation
Sequoia Nagamatsu is a literary force whose works traverse the realms of speculative fiction and heartfelt human experiences. As the author of the National Bestselling novel How High We Go in the Dark (2022) and the acclaimed story collection Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone (2016), Nagamatsu has established himself as a storyteller with a unique ability to blend profound emotion with imaginative narratives. His stories have found homes in prestigious publications like Conjunctions, The Southern Review, ZYZZYVA, Tin House, and Iowa Review, and have been highlighted in notable anthologies and award lists.
Born and raised in O’ahu, Hawaiʻi, and the San Francisco Bay Area, Nagamatsu's multicultural background profoundly influences his work. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from Grinnell College and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Southern Illinois University. His diverse educational background equips him with a broad perspective, which is evident in the thematic depth and cultural nuances of his writing.
Nagamatsu's debut short story collection, Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone, delves into the fantastical and the existential, offering readers a tapestry of narratives that explore the boundaries of human experience. The collection received critical acclaim for its originality and emotional resonance, earning accolades such as the Foreword Reviews Indie Book of the Year Silver Medal and a place on numerous best-of lists.
In 2022, Nagamatsu’s literary prowess was further solidified with the release of How High We Go in the Dark. This novel, structured as a series of interlinked stories, explores a world reshaped by a pandemic, focusing on themes of grief, technology, and human connection. The book was met with widespread acclaim, becoming a New York Times Editors’ Choice and making its way onto many "best of the year" lists. Critics praised its poignant exploration of global trauma and its intricate narrative structure. The novel's success was underscored by its nominations for major literary awards, including the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize, and the Barnes & Noble Discover Prize. It was also longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and the PEN/Hemingway Award.
Beyond his writing, Nagamatsu is dedicated to fostering the next generation of storytellers. He teaches creative writing at Saint Olaf College and the Rainier Writing Workshop Low-Residency MFA program. His commitment to education and his students is a testament to his belief in the power of stories to shape and transform lives.
Nagamatsu's personal life is as vibrant as his professional one. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife, writer Cole Nagamatsu, their cat Kalahira, their dog Fenris, and a Sony Aibo robot dog named Calvino. His life experiences, from his upbringing in culturally rich environments to his time living in Niigata City, Japan, contribute to the rich tapestry of his narratives.
Sequoia Nagamatsu’s work is a testament to the power of speculative fiction to illuminate the human condition. Through his novels and stories, he invites readers to explore the vast landscapes of the imagination while grounding them in the universal experiences of love, loss, and hope. In a world constantly shifting and evolving, Sequoia Nagamatsu's stories serve as a beacon, guiding readers through the complexities of existence with empathy, insight, and a touch of magic.
