Fruit of the Dead

‘A gripping literary thriller, Fruit of the Dead presents a coming-of-age tale that is so well-observed and intoxicating that the reader will lose track of time, but won’t forget how they spent it. Egan and Cline fans: assemble.’ * Caoilinn Hughes, author of The Wild Laughter *
‘Ancient Greece meets Succession by way of Emma Cline, Fruit of the Dead is a deliciously dark examination of agency and power, and the savage complexity of the mother-daughter bond.’ * Ruth Gilligan, author of The Butchers *
‘Mesmerised and profoundly alarmed, I read this in one go; I’ve been haunted by it ever since. I’ve passionately loved Lyon’s writing for years, and Fruit of the Dead further confirms what I’ve long suspected: I want to lunge to read anything she writes.’ * R. O. Kwon, author of The Incendiaries *
‘A mesmerising contemporary reimagining of the Persephone myth, exploring power, desire and responsibility. A dizzying take on an age-old tale of temptation, seduction and enchantment.’ * Madeleine Feeny, The Bookseller *
‘Pharma billionaire Hades? Yes please.’ * Lit Hub, Most Anticipated Books of 2024 *
‘Lyon puts a modern twist on the myth of Persephone and Demeter in this irresistible narrative of a naive teenager and her protective mother… The result is an affecting, engrossing, and resonant tale about lost innocence and the enduring bond between a mother and daughter.’ * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review *
‘Lyon’s skillful and luscious prose encourages empathy… an affecting novel with touches of the fantastical, weaving explorations of power, youth, wealth, and familial love.’ * Kirkus, Starred Review *
‘An unnerving literary thriller… An absorbing exploration of ancient themes like power and temptation.’ * Mail on Sunday *
‘Superb… refreshing… Lyon twists the tale just enough to needle our conceptions of coercion and desire.’ * New York Times Book Review *
‘Riveting and lush… a spellbinding account of a young woman’s hunger for freedom, the sordid underbelly of big pharma, and the siren call of addiction.’ * Leslie Jamison *

Rachel Lyon is the author of Self-Portrait with a Boy, a finalist for the Center for Fiction’s 2018 First Novel Prize, and Fruit of the Dead, an Oprah Daily best book of 2024 which the New York Times called “superb” and “refreshing.”

Rachel’s short stories have appeared in One Story, The Rumpus, Electric Literature, and other publications. She has taught most recently at Bennington College and the American University of Paris, where she was the 2024 Paris Writer in Residence.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she lives with her family in Western Massachusetts.

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