"Phenomenal. A transcendent, cross-cultural and cross-planetary journey into the mysteries of space and self. . . . Howrey's expansive vision left me awestruck."--Ruth Ozeki, author of
A Tale for the Time Being "Straddling the fine line between outer space and the world we know,
The Wanderers is a breathtakingly honest and incredibly beautiful examination of the heart and soul of humankind. . . .This is a book that isn't like anything you've ever read before."
--Newsweek
"Howrey subtly explores the tensions between our inner and projected selves. Thanks to her wry sense of humor, it totally works. . . . [A]n often funny story that grows poignant in its final chapters."
--The Washington Post "Fascinating . . . a masterful psychological novel, full of rich characterization and a surprisingly gripping narrative."
--Los Angeles Times "Every single character in
The Wanderers feels distinct and vivid, a planet in his or her own right."
--Slate
The terrain explored by Meg Howrey in
The Wanderers is otherworldly, but the bonds among three astronauts and the loved ones they leave behind for a 17-month mission to Mars feel earthbound and immediate . . . [through] brief, psychologically incisive chapters that drive the story forward."
--Nicole Lamy for
The New York Times "Engrossing. . . . Although the contours of a space drama may seem familiar to a 21st-century readership, Howrey, through the poetry of her writing and the richness of her characters, makes it all seem new. A lyrical and subtle space opera." --
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"With believably fragile and idealistic characters at the helm, Howrey's insightful novel will take readers to a place where they too can 'lift their heads and wonder.'" --
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Add Howrey's novel, which centers on astronauts exploring both outer
and inner space, to the list of must-consume, intergalatic art." --
Nylon "Play[s] with notions of counterfeits and authenticity. . . . Is the Eidolon mission all it appears to be? Or more? The unfolding of that mystery launches this plausible space tale into higher realms of enjoyment." --The Associated Press
"[I]nventive, lyrical and immersive." --
BBC.com "[C]onfronts ageless questions of why humans explore, what they are looking for, and what happens when they find it. Evoking the authenticity of Neal Stephenson's
Seveneves with the literary sensitivity of Ann Patchett, Howrey has made the mission-to-Mars motif an exquisite exploration of human space, inner and outer." --
Booklist "Howrey's exquisite novel demonstrates that the final frontier may not be space after all." --J. Ryan Stradal, author of
Kitchens of the Great Midwest "A distinct, shimmering vision of who we are and where we think we want to go.--Peter Nichols, author of
The Rocks and
A Voyage for Madmen "Elegant, thoughtful, gorgeously written. A meditation on solitude, connection, aspiration, imagination and reality, which builds effortlessly to moments of immense power and honesty. There are passages near the end of this book that I will never forget." --Charles Yu, author of
How to Live Safely in a Science Fiction Universe and
Sorry Please Thank You