Wildly original, funny and moving, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August is an extraordinary story of a life lived again and again from World Fantasy Award-winning author Claire North.
Harry August is on his deathbed. Again.
No matter what he does or the decisions he makes, when death comes, Harry always returns to where he began, a child with all the knowledge of a life he has already lived a dozen times before. Nothing ever changes.
Until now.
As Harry nears the end of his eleventh life, a little girl appears at his bedside. "I nearly missed you, Doctor August," she says. "I need to send a message."
This is the story of what Harry does next, and what he did before, and how he tries to save a past he cannot change and a future he cannot allow.
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“This wonderful novel, narrated by Harry, ranges back and forth in time as he recounts episodes from his various lives, but it’s all held together by a compelling mystery involving nothing less than the end of the world itself (a thousand years in the future). Beautifully written and structured, the book should be a big hit with SF fans…A remarkable book.”
— Booklist (starred review)
“A subtle study of friendship, love, and the complexity of existence.”
— Guardian (London)“A tremendously entertaining ride…you’re sure to enjoy the trip.”
— Sunday Star (Toronto, Canada)“North’s fast-paced novel…contains real heart. When Harry confronts his distant father or interacts with an old romance, we are reminded of true love’s power and timelessness.”
— Publishers Weekly“In an introspective tone, narrator Peter Kenny recounts the stories of August’s many lives…Kenny’s narration creates an atmosphere of intimacy with the listener. He sounds earnest without being somber and conveys August’s enthusiasm for exploring questions about the meaning of life without sounding ponderous. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFileAn astonishing re-invention of the time travel narrative. Bold, magical and masterful.
— Mike CareyI don't say this lightly but The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August is one of the top ten books I've ever read.
— James Dashner, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Maze RunnerA thoughtful and considered time-travel novel, shocking twists and, most important of all, a beautiful character. Harry August will break your heart fifteen times.
— James ShurinA subtle study of friendship, love and the complexity of existence.
— Eric Brown, GuardianWonderful novel... held together by a compelling mystery involving nothing less than the end of the world itself. Beautifully written and structured...a remarkable book.
— Booklist (Starred Review)Fantastic.
— io9A tremendously entertaining ride... You're sure to enjoy the trip.
— Toronto Sunday StarClaire North is a pseudonym for Catherine Webb, who wrote several novels in various genres before publishing her first major work as Claire North, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August. It was a critically acclaimed success, receiving rave reviews and was included in the Washington Post's Best Books of the Year list. Her novel, The Sudden Appearance of Hope, won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel.
Peter Kenny, an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a talented and experienced actor, voice-over artist, singer, musician, and designer, with over twenty-five years of experience working in theater, film, television, and audio. He has achieved great critical acclaim for multicharacter recordings of audiobooks by authors such as Iain Banks, Christopher Priest, and Edmund St Aubyn.