The Illness Lesson

Named a most anticipated book of 2020 by Time, Vanity Fair, Esquire, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, BookRiot, Domino, and LitHub"Brilliant, suspenseful...A masterpiece."—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of City of Girls"A brainy page-turner that's gorgeous and frightening in equal measure."—Leni Zumas, author of Red ClocksA searing novel which probes the world's approach to women's bodies and women's minds, and the time-honored tradition of doubting both.At their newly founded school, Samuel Hood and his daughter Caroline promise a groundbreaking education for young women. But Caroline has grave misgivings. After all, her own unconventional education has left her unmarriageable and isolated, unsuited to the narrow roles afforded women in 19th century New England.When a mysterious flock of red birds descends on the town, Caroline alone seems to find them unsettling. But it's not long...