The Book of Speculation, by Erika Swyler, is a captivating novel about family, tradition, loss, the power of books, and fighting for the people you love. Simon Watson, a young librarian, lives in his family home on the Long Island shore. Over the course of the novel, the vitality of Simon’s home helps tell the story as Simon races against time to break a destructive family tradition.
Swyler’s debut novel introduces intriguing characters from multiple generations and weaves them together using an old book, a traveling circus, tarot cards, magic, and the sea. If you are fascinated by rare books, you will enjoy the description of Simon’s book. Though, in my opinion, the antiquarian book seller and his relationship with Simon are the weakest elements of this novel. The traveling circus characters are all fascinating, from the Wild Boy of the past to the present day man who can turn on light bulbs. Perhaps I enjoyed this novel because of the horseshoe crabs. Horseshoe crabs, which have been on earth for approximately 10,000 years, crop up many times throughout the novel and lend the story an air of mystique. Though magic is present, I would not classify this novel as a fantasy; the magic exists in the background, as aspects of the characters’ personalities.
If you loved The Night Circus, by Erin Morgensten, you will enjoy The Book of Speculation. The plot builds to an exciting climax, so you may find it difficult to put down towards the end. Expect a late night to finish the novel, or expect to take the long way home as your audio book comes to a close!
We carry our families like anchors, rooting us in storms, making sure we never drift from where and who we are. We carry our families within us the way we carry our breath underwater, keeping us afloat, keeping us alive.