What do you think?
Rate this book
Lark Ascending
A timely, powerful story of survival set in the not-too-distant future, reminding us to always hold on to hope, even in the worst of times.
With fires devastating much of America, Lark and his family first leave their home in Maryland for Maine. But as the country increasingly falls under the grip of religious nationalism, it becomes clear that nowhere is safe, not just from physical disasters but also persecution. The family secures a place on a crowded boat headed to Ireland, the last place on earth rumored to be accepting American refugees.
Upon arrival, it turns out that the safe harbor of Ireland no longer exists either—and Lark, the sole survivor of the trans-Atlantic voyage, must disappear into the countryside. As he runs for his life, Lark finds two equally lost and desperate souls: one of the last remaining dogs, who becomes his closest companion, and a fierce, mysterious woman in search of her lost son. Together they form a makeshift family and attempt to reach Glendalough, a place they believe will offer protection. But can any community provide the safety that they seek?
Lark Ascending is a moving and unforgettable story of friendship and bravery, and even more, a story of the ongoing fight to protect our personal freedoms and find our shared humanity, from a writer at the peak of his powers.
With fires devastating much of America, Lark and his family first leave their home in Maryland for Maine. But as the country increasingly falls under the grip of religious nationalism, it becomes clear that nowhere is safe, not just from physical disasters but also persecution. The family secures a place on a crowded boat headed to Ireland, the last place on earth rumored to be accepting American refugees.
Upon arrival, it turns out that the safe harbor of Ireland no longer exists either—and Lark, the sole survivor of the trans-Atlantic voyage, must disappear into the countryside. As he runs for his life, Lark finds two equally lost and desperate souls: one of the last remaining dogs, who becomes his closest companion, and a fierce, mysterious woman in search of her lost son. Together they form a makeshift family and attempt to reach Glendalough, a place they believe will offer protection. But can any community provide the safety that they seek?
Lark Ascending is a moving and unforgettable story of friendship and bravery, and even more, a story of the ongoing fight to protect our personal freedoms and find our shared humanity, from a writer at the peak of his powers.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2022
About the author
Silas House
36 books1,380 followersSilas House is the nationally bestselling author of six novels--Clay's Quilt, 2001; A Parchment of Leaves, 2003; The Coal Tattoo, 2005; Eli the Good, 2009; Same Sun Here (co-authored with Neela Vaswani) 2012; Southernmost (2018), as well as a book of creative nonfiction, Something's Rising, co-authored with Jason Howard, 2009; and three plays.
His work frequently appears in The Atlantic, The New York Times, and Salon. He is former commentator for NPR's "All Things Considered". His writing has appeared in recently in Time, Ecotone, Oxford American, Garden and Gun, and many other publications.
House serves on the fiction faculty at the Spalding School of Writing and as the National Endowment for the Humanities Chair at Berea College.
As a music writer House has worked with artists such as Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell, Lee Ann Womack, Kris Kristofferson, Lucinda Williams, The Judds, Jim James, and many others.
House is the recipient of three honorary doctorates and is the winner of the Nautilus Award, an EB White Award, the Storylines Prize from the New York Public Library/NAV Foundation, the Appalachian Book of the Year, and many other honors.
His work frequently appears in The Atlantic, The New York Times, and Salon. He is former commentator for NPR's "All Things Considered". His writing has appeared in recently in Time, Ecotone, Oxford American, Garden and Gun, and many other publications.
House serves on the fiction faculty at the Spalding School of Writing and as the National Endowment for the Humanities Chair at Berea College.
As a music writer House has worked with artists such as Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell, Lee Ann Womack, Kris Kristofferson, Lucinda Williams, The Judds, Jim James, and many others.
House is the recipient of three honorary doctorates and is the winner of the Nautilus Award, an EB White Award, the Storylines Prize from the New York Public Library/NAV Foundation, the Appalachian Book of the Year, and many other honors.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 741 reviews
February 20, 2023
From the beginning it clawed at my heart, my head , scared the hell out of me actually, and I almost wanted to stop reading it. This dystopian novel is a departure from House’s southern stories that I’ve read. I couldn’t give up on it , though, because of his beautiful writing and if you’ve read his other books , you’ll know he’s a born storyteller.
Lark is ninety and looking back to the time when he was a young man on a boat to Ireland with his mother and father, all that are left of those he loved seeking refuge from a world that is burning from climate change, a world now governed by Fundamentalists. Taking place in the not too distant future and sounding like an all too realistic scene , this is beyond scary. Certainly a message, a warning, but such an important one to heed.
With the fires, the government collapse, the Slaughters there is darkness, grief and violence , but somehow Silas House manages to let us see light and love , the unbroken human spirt in the face of it.
I received copy of this book from Algonquin through NetGalley.
October 23, 2023
I keep thinking I don’t like post apocalyptic stories, but I keep reading stories that prove me wrong.
This is all about survival. Surviving the wildfires in the US that have burned it to the ground. The entire continent. Surviving a perilous journey across the sea from America to Ireland in the hopes they are taking refugees. But by the time they almost arrive, a storm takes most of them out and those remaining are targeted by the militia. Lark somehow survives and meets up with a dog, Seamus, and a woman, Helen.
This is a dark read. It makes you wonder if this is the path humanity will take. History repeating itself. Discriminating against groups. Ignoring the warning signs happening now with climate change.
House takes on a frightening journey. But there is hope in this darkness. And a beagle who just makes you appreciate life in all its forms. 🐾
4.5⭐️
This is all about survival. Surviving the wildfires in the US that have burned it to the ground. The entire continent. Surviving a perilous journey across the sea from America to Ireland in the hopes they are taking refugees. But by the time they almost arrive, a storm takes most of them out and those remaining are targeted by the militia. Lark somehow survives and meets up with a dog, Seamus, and a woman, Helen.
This is a dark read. It makes you wonder if this is the path humanity will take. History repeating itself. Discriminating against groups. Ignoring the warning signs happening now with climate change.
House takes on a frightening journey. But there is hope in this darkness. And a beagle who just makes you appreciate life in all its forms. 🐾
4.5⭐️
July 21, 2023
Afterthought:
I can't get this book out of my head!
I keep thinking about it, the characters, the author. I've listened to numerous recordings of Silas House speak about this book, reading from it, and explaining why he wrote it. I've added the hardcover and audiobook to my personal library. Based on how this story has impacted me, I've changed my rating of this book to 5⭐.
TR 7/21/23
__________________________
Lark Ascending by Silas House is a Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, and Speculative Fiction Story!
In the not-too-distant future the impact of climate change is realized...
The United States is on fire, water and food are scarce, fear of war looms large, and extremist militia freely police every corner with the use of force.
With nowhere left to shelter, Lark and his family are able to flee to Ireland where American refugees are welcomed. It's said to be free of the violence that ravages the rest of the world and rumors exist of a safe haven there called Glendalough.
They travel by boat and by the end of the horrendous voyage across the Atlantic, Lark is the sole survivor. Once he reaches land, his only choice is to continue on alone.
Lark spots something hiding in a bush and recognizes it as a beagle with the name Seamus on his dog tag. An unlikely find as dogs have been outlawed for years. With a mutual need between Lark and Seamus, a bond quickly develops.
As Lark and Seamus travel, they come upon a woman named Helen who's searching for her missing son. All three continue on together in hopes of finding the elusive Glendalough...
Lark Ascending is a Speculative Fiction story that feels as though something is lurking on the sidelines waiting to pounce. This expectant yet evasive feeling is in contrast to the descriptive beauty of Ireland. This story is a visual experience and whether you're listening or reading, there is a pervasive threat that surrounds it.
This is a seven hour listen narrated by Charlie Thurston that's contemplative and memorable. Global warming, threat of World War, post-apocalyptic existence, and dystopian society are topics we discuss and internalize every day. This story brings them to life in a frighteningly realistic way.
Lark Ascending is written in a first-person narrative from Lark with brief third-person narrations for Seamus. I love both of these characters. Lark for his bravery and resilience beyond his years and Seamus for being such a good dog and perfect companion. The character of Helen was a wonderful offering of additional texture to the story that begins at the halfway point.
Lastly, there is a bit of a mystery here and it keeps you curious. It's one more reason I kept listening and why I would listen to it again. I highly recommend Lark Ascending to all who enjoy Speculative Fiction and I'll definitely be researching this author's backlist for more.
4⭐ 5⭐
I can't get this book out of my head!
I keep thinking about it, the characters, the author. I've listened to numerous recordings of Silas House speak about this book, reading from it, and explaining why he wrote it. I've added the hardcover and audiobook to my personal library. Based on how this story has impacted me, I've changed my rating of this book to 5⭐.
TR 7/21/23
__________________________
Lark Ascending by Silas House is a Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, and Speculative Fiction Story!
In the not-too-distant future the impact of climate change is realized...
The United States is on fire, water and food are scarce, fear of war looms large, and extremist militia freely police every corner with the use of force.
With nowhere left to shelter, Lark and his family are able to flee to Ireland where American refugees are welcomed. It's said to be free of the violence that ravages the rest of the world and rumors exist of a safe haven there called Glendalough.
They travel by boat and by the end of the horrendous voyage across the Atlantic, Lark is the sole survivor. Once he reaches land, his only choice is to continue on alone.
Lark spots something hiding in a bush and recognizes it as a beagle with the name Seamus on his dog tag. An unlikely find as dogs have been outlawed for years. With a mutual need between Lark and Seamus, a bond quickly develops.
As Lark and Seamus travel, they come upon a woman named Helen who's searching for her missing son. All three continue on together in hopes of finding the elusive Glendalough...
Lark Ascending is a Speculative Fiction story that feels as though something is lurking on the sidelines waiting to pounce. This expectant yet evasive feeling is in contrast to the descriptive beauty of Ireland. This story is a visual experience and whether you're listening or reading, there is a pervasive threat that surrounds it.
This is a seven hour listen narrated by Charlie Thurston that's contemplative and memorable. Global warming, threat of World War, post-apocalyptic existence, and dystopian society are topics we discuss and internalize every day. This story brings them to life in a frighteningly realistic way.
Lark Ascending is written in a first-person narrative from Lark with brief third-person narrations for Seamus. I love both of these characters. Lark for his bravery and resilience beyond his years and Seamus for being such a good dog and perfect companion. The character of Helen was a wonderful offering of additional texture to the story that begins at the halfway point.
Lastly, there is a bit of a mystery here and it keeps you curious. It's one more reason I kept listening and why I would listen to it again. I highly recommend Lark Ascending to all who enjoy Speculative Fiction and I'll definitely be researching this author's backlist for more.
September 14, 2022
4+
An apocalyptic novel where things have gone horribly wrong in the United States due to climate change, devastating fires, and militias who enforce religious doctrine.
20 yr old Lark and his parents get on an overcrowded, very old yacht that is traveling to Ireland where things are said to be better.
Lark is the only boat passenger to make it to shore after sickness, storms, and a treacherous journey.
He’s looking to get Glendalough.
There are drones and guards over in Ireland too.
During his trek to find this town, he comes across a dog and later an older woman to accompany him.
It’s tough going.
I enjoyed this story…it’s a fast and eventful read!
Silas is such a good writer and this is his first novel that is not set in Appalachia.
Thank you to Netgalley and Algonquin Books.for the ARC!
An apocalyptic novel where things have gone horribly wrong in the United States due to climate change, devastating fires, and militias who enforce religious doctrine.
20 yr old Lark and his parents get on an overcrowded, very old yacht that is traveling to Ireland where things are said to be better.
Lark is the only boat passenger to make it to shore after sickness, storms, and a treacherous journey.
He’s looking to get Glendalough.
There are drones and guards over in Ireland too.
During his trek to find this town, he comes across a dog and later an older woman to accompany him.
It’s tough going.
I enjoyed this story…it’s a fast and eventful read!
Silas is such a good writer and this is his first novel that is not set in Appalachia.
Thank you to Netgalley and Algonquin Books.for the ARC!
September 15, 2022
Silas House detours from his previous books, and gives us a dystopian novel. The book summary states this is the near future, but as I read I kept thinking we are well on our way, climatically and politically. I took this book as a warning.
As in his previous books he does deliver his descriptive passages, as well as his brilliant characterizations. Much of the United States is on fire, most of the world is suffering from climate change. Clean water and food is scarce. Pets,dogs, cats are destroyed as there is not enough food to feed them. For a time lark and his family and another small family flee to Northern Maine, hiding in the woods. The fundies, fundamentalists, are in charge, bent on destroying all those who don't bend to their will. Ireland is said to be the last place willing to take refugees. Glendalough, is the place where they hope to find safety. So, that becomes their plan.
A novel of survival during extraordinary times. Of friendship and the family, albeit how small, that one makes. Of horrific loss and grief. But, against all odds there is a dog, Seamus, one of the last but he finds Lark and proves, along with a lone woman looking for her own son, proves to be his salvation. A book that tears at our heartstrings and whose ending left me in tears. A book I will long remember with a dog and characters that I won't forget." In many ways a chilling read of what could come.
"Seamus's eyes had sorrow in them--that old boy knew what deep loss was, just as I did. Two creatures can always tell that about one another.
"Zealots are always ready to take over. No one ever thought it could happen here, but we were overestimating human beings. Turns out it's easy to convert more people to a cause that takes power from others, that thrives on meanness "
ARC from edelweiss.
As in his previous books he does deliver his descriptive passages, as well as his brilliant characterizations. Much of the United States is on fire, most of the world is suffering from climate change. Clean water and food is scarce. Pets,dogs, cats are destroyed as there is not enough food to feed them. For a time lark and his family and another small family flee to Northern Maine, hiding in the woods. The fundies, fundamentalists, are in charge, bent on destroying all those who don't bend to their will. Ireland is said to be the last place willing to take refugees. Glendalough, is the place where they hope to find safety. So, that becomes their plan.
A novel of survival during extraordinary times. Of friendship and the family, albeit how small, that one makes. Of horrific loss and grief. But, against all odds there is a dog, Seamus, one of the last but he finds Lark and proves, along with a lone woman looking for her own son, proves to be his salvation. A book that tears at our heartstrings and whose ending left me in tears. A book I will long remember with a dog and characters that I won't forget." In many ways a chilling read of what could come.
"Seamus's eyes had sorrow in them--that old boy knew what deep loss was, just as I did. Two creatures can always tell that about one another.
"Zealots are always ready to take over. No one ever thought it could happen here, but we were overestimating human beings. Turns out it's easy to convert more people to a cause that takes power from others, that thrives on meanness "
ARC from edelweiss.
February 11, 2024
What an incredible listening experience. Beautiful narration. I absolutely loved this story. Thank you Terrie for the recommendation.
Lark Ascending is an “end of the world” story. It is atmospheric and the author does an amazing job of building tension and having that tension reverberate as an undercurrent throughout the narrative. The settings are breathtaking and desolate. The novel is equally heartbreaking as it is uplifting.
I loved that that there were characters that quoted poetry and collected words. My favorite is “the gloaming” (which also happens to be the title of a killer song by Radiohead).
Lark Ascending has many aspects of other end of the world books like the Resistance, the Radicals, the world quickly regressing, those taking power, and then abusing that power on people they “othered”. Trust no one. Keep moving.
I liked how the author captured the necessity and the healing nature of continually moving and being still. I greatly enjoy books with a quest, sojourn, or destination aspect. (The Rampart Trilogy, Lord of the Rings., and The Stand all come to mind). This one had it all. Traversing mountains, a boat trip across the Atlantic, and crossing wastelands. I love a good dog story and Lark Ascending is one of the best I’ve read. I highly recommend it.
Lark Ascending is an “end of the world” story. It is atmospheric and the author does an amazing job of building tension and having that tension reverberate as an undercurrent throughout the narrative. The settings are breathtaking and desolate. The novel is equally heartbreaking as it is uplifting.
I loved that that there were characters that quoted poetry and collected words. My favorite is “the gloaming” (which also happens to be the title of a killer song by Radiohead).
Lark Ascending has many aspects of other end of the world books like the Resistance, the Radicals, the world quickly regressing, those taking power, and then abusing that power on people they “othered”. Trust no one. Keep moving.
I liked how the author captured the necessity and the healing nature of continually moving and being still. I greatly enjoy books with a quest, sojourn, or destination aspect. (The Rampart Trilogy, Lord of the Rings., and The Stand all come to mind). This one had it all. Traversing mountains, a boat trip across the Atlantic, and crossing wastelands. I love a good dog story and Lark Ascending is one of the best I’ve read. I highly recommend it.
October 19, 2022
’They have all asked me to write down the whole particulars about how I came to be here, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back. So now, in my old age, I need to begin with our journey, when my parents and I crossed the wide Atlantic in the hopes of sanctuary on the green island of Ireland.’
Climate change has brought with it catastrophic fires that have affected the entire country, and with it came more political changes which makes it impossible for them to stay. Their journey begins on a yacht that is packed with refugees leaving Maine and heading to Ireland based on nothing more than a rumour of Glendalough offering a safe haven for those that manage to survive the journey. It is a journey that begins with hope, but ends in despair.
’We first saw land as twilight whispered itself into being. First there was the strange smudge on the horizon. Then shape. After a time, we thought that our eyes were conjuring land, but the closer we got, the greener the island became, until it was glowing green. Closer and we could see the high cliffs through our binoculars.’
As they approach Ireland, it becomes apparent that things have changed, that they have closed their borders.
Of the forty-four that made the journey from America, only nineteen survived the passage, of which seven were children, leaving twelve adults to navigate their future. Lark is now the sole survivor of his family, with the memories of his mother repeating these words to him, ’Don’t give up.’
He makes it to the rocky shores, his clothes soaked through, and sleeps on the beach. In the morning, he lights a small fire made of twigs, small branches and driftwood, hoping this will dry his clothes quickly.
Knowing that he needs to continue moving, he journeys on, aware that he has to keep moving. Cautiously stepping, cautiously moving forward.
’Seeing hearing smelling feeling tasting.
Then he notices a patch of white inside the leaves of a huge rhododendron, and then on the white spots of black and brown. Then a paw, and finally two brown eyes.
’A dog. A beagle.’
A miracle, really, as dogs had been banned during his childhood, when food began to be in short supply.
’Come on, little man,’ I said.
And then, the dog came forward.
Seamus, the dog’s tag reads. And so Seamus becomes his companion on this journey.
’Glendalough…That is where I had to go, because when you have lost everything, you find something else to keep you going.’
I loved this story, and I loved re-visiting Ireland through this story. Although their journey is fraught with perils, terrifying moments, there is also beauty in the journey, love, and most of all, hope. Friends made along the way are few, including Helen, a woman who is in search of her son who is missing. A young girl will also join them, briefly. Despite the dark, dangerous moments encountered, there are many tender moments, as well as beauty, kindness, and hope.
October 27, 2022
Reviewed in the September 2022 edition of Quick Lit on Modern Mrs Darcy:
I didn't include this new Silas House release in our recent Fall Book Preview only because I didn't know about it until just before the event! This dystopian novel with echoes of The Dog Stars and The Road is set in the not-too-distant future, where fires have ravaged the globe and religious extremists have seized control of governments. This is the story of Lark, a teenage refugee who fled Maine with his family hoping to find sanctuary in Ireland, the last country rumored to be accepting refugees—only to discover upon arrival that the borders have closed and his perilous journey has only just begun. Dejected, starving, and alone, he sets out for Glendalough, the "thin place" his mother told him about before she died. Along the way he befriends Seamus, a trustworthy beagle who somehow managed to survive even after dogs were eradicated, and encounters others who wish to both help and harm him. This is a departure for House; those who have enjoyed his past work may especially appreciate the wistful prose and LGBTQ love story in this one.
I didn't include this new Silas House release in our recent Fall Book Preview only because I didn't know about it until just before the event! This dystopian novel with echoes of The Dog Stars and The Road is set in the not-too-distant future, where fires have ravaged the globe and religious extremists have seized control of governments. This is the story of Lark, a teenage refugee who fled Maine with his family hoping to find sanctuary in Ireland, the last country rumored to be accepting refugees—only to discover upon arrival that the borders have closed and his perilous journey has only just begun. Dejected, starving, and alone, he sets out for Glendalough, the "thin place" his mother told him about before she died. Along the way he befriends Seamus, a trustworthy beagle who somehow managed to survive even after dogs were eradicated, and encounters others who wish to both help and harm him. This is a departure for House; those who have enjoyed his past work may especially appreciate the wistful prose and LGBTQ love story in this one.
February 7, 2023
4 🐕🦺 🌲 💛 🌳
“What use was there? We had thought things would be better… there was nothing but desolation. Emptiness. The world had ended. Yet it had not, and as long as there were still cedar trees and dogs, I reckoned I had a reason to keep going.”
What can propel a reader through pages of apocalyptic destruction, chaos and catastrophic loss?
Trees and dogs, our planet's resiliency in the face of humanity's failing, true friends who inspire hope and purpose in us, and Silas House's tender and poetic prose.
“What use was there? We had thought things would be better… there was nothing but desolation. Emptiness. The world had ended. Yet it had not, and as long as there were still cedar trees and dogs, I reckoned I had a reason to keep going.”
What can propel a reader through pages of apocalyptic destruction, chaos and catastrophic loss?
Trees and dogs, our planet's resiliency in the face of humanity's failing, true friends who inspire hope and purpose in us, and Silas House's tender and poetic prose.
January 10, 2023
This was fine, but not as good as I had hoped for.
I read a lot of books in this genre and this one didn’t quite stand out. The writing is very good, but not exceptional or special; the story is character driven, but the characters are not quite interesting, except for the dog, Seamus, who was my favourite. In a short book like this I’m looking for things to coalesce into something that resonates in that way you just can’t stop thinking about as it did for me in Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, or most recently, in The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton.
Lark Ascending is more than merely competent storytelling, but for me it lacked that unnameable quality that finds my heart and won’t let go.
I read a lot of books in this genre and this one didn’t quite stand out. The writing is very good, but not exceptional or special; the story is character driven, but the characters are not quite interesting, except for the dog, Seamus, who was my favourite. In a short book like this I’m looking for things to coalesce into something that resonates in that way you just can’t stop thinking about as it did for me in Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, or most recently, in The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton.
Lark Ascending is more than merely competent storytelling, but for me it lacked that unnameable quality that finds my heart and won’t let go.
October 2, 2022
"I've heard people say, "We destroyed our world," but I don't agree with that. Some of us did. The rest of us were powerless. The rest of us are the ones who had to pay the biggest price."
I have to hope that Silas House, who figuratively left Appalachia to create this dystopian read, does not have prescience as one of his gifts. I hate to think this is our actual future, although it comes shiveringly close to the edges of possibility, given our current realities.
A story of hardship, despair, loss, scrapping for survival, and grief, offset by determination, resilience, creativity, and the magic of crossed paths that offer a lifeline and purpose that energize the bedraggled spirit. Sometimes when we don't want to live for ourselves, we can find it within us to live for someone else.
A young man, a dog, and an elderly woman find common ground in a world rife with danger, banding together to find the mythical Glendalough, looking for a safe haven in the storm. A short and fast read which offers enough danger to make it suspenseful and enough character to make me care; with the bonus of a few chapters dedicated to the perspective of man's best friend, Seamus. And along the way, a bit of warning about what happens when life as we know it falls apart, and we have to find new ways of being in the world with those who are left.
"We were people of the hazel trees and cedars, of cold creeks and wide pastures. We were the trout that swim in the darkest reaches where no one can betray us. We had more in common with rocks and rivers than we did with people now. We had seen what happened when people lived together in too big a clump. The better choice was to live with a handful. There is strength in numbers but there is danger in it, as well. Danger of one desiring a rise to power. Danger of many being blinded by one and doing his biding."
Shiver.
I have to hope that Silas House, who figuratively left Appalachia to create this dystopian read, does not have prescience as one of his gifts. I hate to think this is our actual future, although it comes shiveringly close to the edges of possibility, given our current realities.
A story of hardship, despair, loss, scrapping for survival, and grief, offset by determination, resilience, creativity, and the magic of crossed paths that offer a lifeline and purpose that energize the bedraggled spirit. Sometimes when we don't want to live for ourselves, we can find it within us to live for someone else.
A young man, a dog, and an elderly woman find common ground in a world rife with danger, banding together to find the mythical Glendalough, looking for a safe haven in the storm. A short and fast read which offers enough danger to make it suspenseful and enough character to make me care; with the bonus of a few chapters dedicated to the perspective of man's best friend, Seamus. And along the way, a bit of warning about what happens when life as we know it falls apart, and we have to find new ways of being in the world with those who are left.
"We were people of the hazel trees and cedars, of cold creeks and wide pastures. We were the trout that swim in the darkest reaches where no one can betray us. We had more in common with rocks and rivers than we did with people now. We had seen what happened when people lived together in too big a clump. The better choice was to live with a handful. There is strength in numbers but there is danger in it, as well. Danger of one desiring a rise to power. Danger of many being blinded by one and doing his biding."
Shiver.
June 23, 2024
While listening to this dystopian piece, amazed, as I've stated many times, "I don't do dystopian," I made a mental note to be sure to include in my review the quote, “…as long as there were still cedar trees and dogs, I reckoned I had a reason to keep going.”
Then I saw my friend Cathrine already wrote that review and I knew I couldn't say it any better than she did. Read her lovely review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I simply adored this little tale but I hate how dangerously possible this (near) future is. It's up to us.
Then I saw my friend Cathrine already wrote that review and I knew I couldn't say it any better than she did. Read her lovely review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I simply adored this little tale but I hate how dangerously possible this (near) future is. It's up to us.
January 6, 2023
5 stars - Thanks to you Diane for turning me on to this book and thanks to Seamus for gently taking his leave.
A dystopian novel that reads really well. I loved this book.
The life of a young boy - as told by an old man - as he and his family ran from the savagely torn United States to refuge in Ireland - an Ireland that was also war torn and in desperate condition. The loss of his family - finding a new alternative family and learning to live a very different life.
Happily my first read of 2023 is a five star book. I could not have asked for better. This is my first book by Silas House, but definitely will not be my last. I have found a new author to follow.
A dystopian novel that reads really well. I loved this book.
The life of a young boy - as told by an old man - as he and his family ran from the savagely torn United States to refuge in Ireland - an Ireland that was also war torn and in desperate condition. The loss of his family - finding a new alternative family and learning to live a very different life.
Happily my first read of 2023 is a five star book. I could not have asked for better. This is my first book by Silas House, but definitely will not be my last. I have found a new author to follow.
March 3, 2023
Review coming soon.
October 14, 2022
No, just no. If you like books where terrible awful things keep happening over and over, with some supposedly "lyrical" writing in between, then you might like this book. Otherwise, keep going. Do not be fooled by the fact that it has a dog. Even that can't make up for the rest.
February 5, 2023
This was somewhat of a buddy read for me with @Celestemcolon, and I think it’s safe to say that neither one of us were sure what we thought of it in the end. Lark is a young man who embarks with his family on a trans-Atlantic voyage to escape his American homeland, which has fallen prey to devastating wildfires and religious nationalism. The voyage is hard, and Lark alone survives it. Landing in Ireland, he finds the rumor of a safe harbor is false, and he must escape into the countryside to avoid persecution. On the run, he teams up with another lost soul, who together with one of the last-surviving dogs, becomes his makeshift family.
There’s an odd feel to this book — almost like nothing happens in the end, despite the fact that life is indeed near apocalyptic. It has a kind of meandering ramble to it, which I suppose is probably fitting of Lark’s nomadic life and grim acceptance of a dystopian world. Still, I craved a more cohesive story and a deeper emotional connection to the characters ... though naturally, I connected to the dog just fine — isn’t that often the case for us all?
There’s an odd feel to this book — almost like nothing happens in the end, despite the fact that life is indeed near apocalyptic. It has a kind of meandering ramble to it, which I suppose is probably fitting of Lark’s nomadic life and grim acceptance of a dystopian world. Still, I craved a more cohesive story and a deeper emotional connection to the characters ... though naturally, I connected to the dog just fine — isn’t that often the case for us all?
February 3, 2024
A post-apocalyptic survivalist story that is literary fiction at heart. What beautiful turns of phrase the pages contain, what heartache, what glimmers of hope.
I was warned this would be a slow burn, but the pacing didn’t bother me at all. The story captured my attention right from the start with its treacherous boat journey from Main to Ireland, while the rest of the world burns.
The ending had me a bit emotional. It so beautifully captures how life can filled with heart breaking complexity but also joy at the same time.
I was warned this would be a slow burn, but the pacing didn’t bother me at all. The story captured my attention right from the start with its treacherous boat journey from Main to Ireland, while the rest of the world burns.
The ending had me a bit emotional. It so beautifully captures how life can filled with heart breaking complexity but also joy at the same time.
May 4, 2023
Мрачна антиутопия с финал, изпълнен с надежда.
Атмосферата е доста потискаща, апокалиптична, разрушителна, но пък книгата е написана много хубаво.
Надеждата е движещия фактор, който дава сили на човек да продължи напред.
Атмосферата е доста потискаща, апокалиптична, разрушителна, но пък книгата е написана много хубаво.
Надеждата е движещия фактор, който дава сили на човек да продължи напред.
June 19, 2022
Author Silas House steps outside of his beloved Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky and into a dark, new world order in the dystopian novel, Lark Ascending, coming out at the end of September. Yet, he brings his storytelling style and his brightly colored images to this cautionary tale about a ruined America taken over by fundamentalist Christians called Fundies, forcing survivors to seek asylum somewhere else.
The story is told by an elderly man named Lark, who as a 20-year-old joined his parents along with other survivors of a ruined America to journey by ship to Ireland, the only place still open to refugees of some unnamed disaster. The voyage was miserable as it was overcrowded and understaffed, seasickness prevailed, and one misfortune after another befell the passengers.
After surviving the voyage from Nova Scotia to Ireland, the evacuees are attacked by soldiers with guns and bombs, the message being no more room for refugees. From this point, a dispirited Lark, the only survivor of the sinking ship, must get to shore and walk to a special place called Glendalough as he promised his mother he would do.
Constantly looking over his shoulder and hiding wherever he could along the way, Lark comes across a dog, an anomaly in a world where pets have been outlawed because famine is everywhere as fires have destroyed crops, and there is not even enough food for people. A few chapters focus on the point of view of the beagle, Seamus, where readers learn his late owner had taught him not to bark, not to make a sound, so they could safely hide from the Nays who have taken over the green isle.
On their journey, Lark and Seamus come across a woman named Helen, who after some consideration, decides the three of them will journey to Glendalough together, Lark seeking a safe haven and Helen searching for someone important to her. Their odyssey is troubled with an encounter with the Banished, traitors of the Irish people, and with Lark’s desire to rescue a child he sees from afar in a prisoner’s camp, thinking she was on the ship with him.
In this dark, depressing world of gray and black, the author offsets it with glimpses of color that hint at hope for a better future, from anemone blue skies to blue headed and yellow chested birds, and always the glowing green of Ireland. House may have left Appalachia but the strengths readers experience in his Appalachian Literature are still evidenced in this apocalyptic story, especially his ability to describe place.
Silas House writes novels, short stories, nonfiction, plays, and essays. His work has found a home in many publications including the New York Times, the Atlantic, Time, and Garden & Gun. Honored by many awards for his work, his Appalachian trilogy – A Parchment of Leaves, the Coal Tattoo, and Clay’s Quilt – has been drawn from not only his experiences in Appalachia but also from the experiences of his family. His novel Southernmost is currently in development as a motion picture. A resident of Lexington, Kentucky, House is a full professor at Berea College.
My review will be posted on Goodreads starting June 19, 2022.
I would like to thank Algonquin Books, Workman Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.
The story is told by an elderly man named Lark, who as a 20-year-old joined his parents along with other survivors of a ruined America to journey by ship to Ireland, the only place still open to refugees of some unnamed disaster. The voyage was miserable as it was overcrowded and understaffed, seasickness prevailed, and one misfortune after another befell the passengers.
After surviving the voyage from Nova Scotia to Ireland, the evacuees are attacked by soldiers with guns and bombs, the message being no more room for refugees. From this point, a dispirited Lark, the only survivor of the sinking ship, must get to shore and walk to a special place called Glendalough as he promised his mother he would do.
Constantly looking over his shoulder and hiding wherever he could along the way, Lark comes across a dog, an anomaly in a world where pets have been outlawed because famine is everywhere as fires have destroyed crops, and there is not even enough food for people. A few chapters focus on the point of view of the beagle, Seamus, where readers learn his late owner had taught him not to bark, not to make a sound, so they could safely hide from the Nays who have taken over the green isle.
On their journey, Lark and Seamus come across a woman named Helen, who after some consideration, decides the three of them will journey to Glendalough together, Lark seeking a safe haven and Helen searching for someone important to her. Their odyssey is troubled with an encounter with the Banished, traitors of the Irish people, and with Lark’s desire to rescue a child he sees from afar in a prisoner’s camp, thinking she was on the ship with him.
In this dark, depressing world of gray and black, the author offsets it with glimpses of color that hint at hope for a better future, from anemone blue skies to blue headed and yellow chested birds, and always the glowing green of Ireland. House may have left Appalachia but the strengths readers experience in his Appalachian Literature are still evidenced in this apocalyptic story, especially his ability to describe place.
Silas House writes novels, short stories, nonfiction, plays, and essays. His work has found a home in many publications including the New York Times, the Atlantic, Time, and Garden & Gun. Honored by many awards for his work, his Appalachian trilogy – A Parchment of Leaves, the Coal Tattoo, and Clay’s Quilt – has been drawn from not only his experiences in Appalachia but also from the experiences of his family. His novel Southernmost is currently in development as a motion picture. A resident of Lexington, Kentucky, House is a full professor at Berea College.
My review will be posted on Goodreads starting June 19, 2022.
I would like to thank Algonquin Books, Workman Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.
November 8, 2022
Grief had ravaged us all. We were the survivors, and we all had lived through nightmare days.
from Lark Ascending by Silas House
An old man is asked to tell his story. He begins with a sea journey of great trial and misery and loss. He weaves his tale backwards and forwards, back to when his family fled the fires and lived in the mountains of Maine before the fires drove them to venture the hazardous journey across the sea to Ireland where they hoped a land that still allowed refugees to find shelter. Instead, they encountered guns. Lark was the only one left, a twenty-year-old boy who had nothing but his mother’s vision of Glendalough, a place of hope.
Lark Ascending grabbed me from the first page, propelled by the sea journey on a crowded boat too small for the storms, the spray and the winds, the misery aboard, the sacrifices of his parents. Then, the arduous journey without food, shoes wearing out, danger all around. It’s brutal, but Lark’s mother had told him to “we don’t give up” and he carries on.
After so many losses, Lark finds two friends to sustain and help him. Seamus, the last dog, and Helen, who helps him avoid the xenophobic Nays and the Banished, traitors rejected by the rebel forces.
Lark inherited a world afire, destroyed by previous generation’s greed. After its collapse, the Fundies imposed their draconian rules and the Slaughters came, targeting priests and professors and artists and homosexuals. His family found refugee in the wilderness. His mother was a horticulturist, his father strong, and they made a life, along with a friend and her children. Lark and Arlo and Serta were best friends, and as they grew into puberty, Lark fell in love with Arlo.
Now I am an old man, I know that there is much to believe in, although I do not have a single word for it the way some people do. To be too certain about a belief is a dangerous thing.
from Lark Ascending by Silas House
Lark teaches that the powerful who used misinformation and discrimination, or gained money or power from war, had “devastated the natural world,” creating the monumental waste of his world. Seamus and Helen became his family, living in Glendalough with all the vagaries of life, sometimes barely surviving, some days filled with wonder of the world.
It’s an emotional ride through a dark landscape, and a warning, and an affirmation that even in loss and pain, we can still discover beauty in this world.
I received an ARC from the publisher. My review is fair and unbiased.
from Lark Ascending by Silas House
An old man is asked to tell his story. He begins with a sea journey of great trial and misery and loss. He weaves his tale backwards and forwards, back to when his family fled the fires and lived in the mountains of Maine before the fires drove them to venture the hazardous journey across the sea to Ireland where they hoped a land that still allowed refugees to find shelter. Instead, they encountered guns. Lark was the only one left, a twenty-year-old boy who had nothing but his mother’s vision of Glendalough, a place of hope.
Lark Ascending grabbed me from the first page, propelled by the sea journey on a crowded boat too small for the storms, the spray and the winds, the misery aboard, the sacrifices of his parents. Then, the arduous journey without food, shoes wearing out, danger all around. It’s brutal, but Lark’s mother had told him to “we don’t give up” and he carries on.
After so many losses, Lark finds two friends to sustain and help him. Seamus, the last dog, and Helen, who helps him avoid the xenophobic Nays and the Banished, traitors rejected by the rebel forces.
Lark inherited a world afire, destroyed by previous generation’s greed. After its collapse, the Fundies imposed their draconian rules and the Slaughters came, targeting priests and professors and artists and homosexuals. His family found refugee in the wilderness. His mother was a horticulturist, his father strong, and they made a life, along with a friend and her children. Lark and Arlo and Serta were best friends, and as they grew into puberty, Lark fell in love with Arlo.
Now I am an old man, I know that there is much to believe in, although I do not have a single word for it the way some people do. To be too certain about a belief is a dangerous thing.
from Lark Ascending by Silas House
Lark teaches that the powerful who used misinformation and discrimination, or gained money or power from war, had “devastated the natural world,” creating the monumental waste of his world. Seamus and Helen became his family, living in Glendalough with all the vagaries of life, sometimes barely surviving, some days filled with wonder of the world.
It’s an emotional ride through a dark landscape, and a warning, and an affirmation that even in loss and pain, we can still discover beauty in this world.
I received an ARC from the publisher. My review is fair and unbiased.
July 20, 2023
This is literary speculative fiction set 20 years in the future, a new favorite genre of mine. What sets this book apart from other dystopian novels like Station Eleven and The Road is the The Road, is the author's lyrical prose and and his breathtaking descriptions of nature. This is not a fast-paced story, but the longer I read the more I fell in love with the characters and the beautiful setting. The last paragraph had me bawling my eyes out. I can't wait to read one of his Appalachian books.
The Story: Alone in an unfamiliar country, Lark must find his way. Ultimately he finds two companions—Helen, a woman desperate to find her son, and Seamus, a dog who has seen quite a bit in his life. They want to make it to what they believe is a safe haven, but it will take all their strength and courage.
The Story: Alone in an unfamiliar country, Lark must find his way. Ultimately he finds two companions—Helen, a woman desperate to find her son, and Seamus, a dog who has seen quite a bit in his life. They want to make it to what they believe is a safe haven, but it will take all their strength and courage.
"I've burned, and that's what I wish for all of you. To burn with anger, desire, joy, sorrow. All of it."
June 17, 2022
I was very lucky to receive an advance reading copy through a giveaway, so I’m not sure how much I’m supposed to say in this review, but I will say that this book was magical. As a young person who struggles with climate anxiety, it feels like a warning, but also like a reminder that even in the worst times there will be magic to be found.
November 3, 2022
TOTALLY minority opinion. Thought this was pretentious and overrated. The dog with complex critical thinking skills was absurd. The human characters were cardboard cutout stereotypes. And the whole passive-aggressive Lark-as-Ulysses-in-the-climate- change-apocalypse was too on message for my taste. However I can envision this on some Jr High School syllabus in the not too distant future. Lark will be the new Holden Caulfield and that makes me sad. 2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2023
I hate to say I "enjoyed" this sad and distressing dystopian novel of a young man who loses everything and everyone, and is just trying to find a place that will take him in -- and not shoot him! But it is written so well written and the storytelling is compelling!
It is set in a future time when America is burning and an extreme conservative society is taking over and killing those that don't agree with them. Lark and his parents decide to flee to Ireland which is the last place still taking American refugees. When worse comes to worst, Lark comes across a beagle dog, Seamus, whose "man" is gone and is in need of another owner. And they help, protect, and comfort each other.
This is not a "boy and his dog" sweet tale, but it sure does make an impact on the story, which is otherwise very desolate and often gruesome. Though it seems to be a barren and bleak accounting, it stills shows caring and empathy in parts where it matters.
I enjoyed this one a lot and highly recommend it!
It is set in a future time when America is burning and an extreme conservative society is taking over and killing those that don't agree with them. Lark and his parents decide to flee to Ireland which is the last place still taking American refugees. When worse comes to worst, Lark comes across a beagle dog, Seamus, whose "man" is gone and is in need of another owner. And they help, protect, and comfort each other.
This is not a "boy and his dog" sweet tale, but it sure does make an impact on the story, which is otherwise very desolate and often gruesome. Though it seems to be a barren and bleak accounting, it stills shows caring and empathy in parts where it matters.
I enjoyed this one a lot and highly recommend it!
March 7, 2023
Чудесен стил на автора , историята е доста тъжна на места меланхолична, но въпреки всичките лоши неща в книгата свършва с някаква надежда .
September 13, 2023
There is friendship, family, and hope in this dystopian story.
July 1, 2024
I'm filled with sadness after reading this dystopian novel and feel I only have more questions than answers. The relationship between Lark and Seamus (the dog) is especially touching. I wish stories like this didn't need to be written.
October 12, 2022
This is the best book of the year for me so far. It is at once beautiful and terrible. As an eco-apocalyptical cautionary tale, it feels terrifyingly real. No matter how dismal and daunting the circumstances, there is always hope. Beauty can be found in this book and in life even at the most difficult of times. I highly recommend Lark Ascending for everyone.
October 17, 2023
This is a sad, depressing book. I guess that House wrote it as a warning about what he sees as our future. Of course, the writing is beautiful and the many descriptions of nature are amazing. Lark is the son of a couple who kept moving north in the US, trying to live in peace and avoid the "fundies" who are trying to take over the world. "Fundies" is the family word for the idealist, non-realistic fundamentalist people who will not accept people who do not bow to their unrealistic religion. Lark's family is friends with another family, composed of a mother and two children. The book is Lark talking about his life - childhood with the other family, going north into Canada and trying to get aboard a ship to take them to Ireland (where they had heard that free people were still living and where rumors said that American refugees were still accepted). Let's stop right here for a moment. This entire book is about a young boy, a citizen of the US, who has become a refugee. He loses all - family, friends, formal education, etc. because a group of people insisted that he and his family accept rules that were anathema to them. They became refugees from their own country. Are there any parallels here ?? We know from the very beginning that Lark lived to be an old man so he survived wherever he landed. The book is painful to read because I know my country is not welcoming to refugees anymore. The ending is a bit peaceful when we learn what has happened to Lark, his dog and his benefactor. I recommend this book to all people - those who are religious fundamentalists and those who follow a yelling, lying man who can never be trusted but wants your money - will not read or appreciate the book. Those who are concerned about the future of the USA and want a peaceful life might appreciate this book. It is hard to read because so many good people are killed and the bad ones seem to win much of the time; but the comforting idea is that House has given us a book where one can live peacefully, after much fear and loss, in a host country, where people are kind and welcoming. Ideal for all ages and religions and for all book group discussions, regardless of age.
February 13, 2024
File this in the “shoulda been a short story and even then, eh” folder.
I’ve been wanting to read a Silas House book. He’s a queer Kentucky author gaining even more fame right now for writing the heartbreaking story to Tyler Childers’ “In Your Love” video. House is known for his realistic novelizations of growing up gay in rural Kentucky. “Lark Ascending” as a dystopian journey story is a departure, and one I’m struggling to judge considering it’s my first Silas House.
We find Lark, our 19-year-old MC, nearly dead on a beach in some broken-down society. In flashbacks, we learn that Lark, as a gay man, is trying to escape the ultra-conservative and violent anti-government forces that have taken hold of nearly the whole world. Lark tells us his memories about hiding out with a small group in the woods for years, where he found his first love. Then our story moves forward, and we follow Lark’s travels as he tries to find a maybe-mythical ~free land~ deep in the heart of Ireland. Along the way, we pick up a tiny cast of characters (most lovably Seamus the beagle) who represent different perspectives in this new, awful world.
It’s just not interesting. This alt-right revolution? We learn borderline nothing about it. It just…exists? I guess? And I couldn’t find it in me to care about any of the characters who accompany Lark (even the beagle…and I am the owner of a beagle myself). It’s very “Parable of the Sower” (which I found horrendously boring) but somehow even less fleshed-out. I realize the setting is supposed to be a futuristic dystopia, but frankly, this book could have taken place anywhere, anytime. They’re just like, in the woods the whole time, escaping generally antagonistic forces.
I appreciate when an author attempts something different, so props to House for the try–but this ain’t it. I have heard great things though about his near-autobiographical novels, so I’ll still have to check those out.
I’ve been wanting to read a Silas House book. He’s a queer Kentucky author gaining even more fame right now for writing the heartbreaking story to Tyler Childers’ “In Your Love” video. House is known for his realistic novelizations of growing up gay in rural Kentucky. “Lark Ascending” as a dystopian journey story is a departure, and one I’m struggling to judge considering it’s my first Silas House.
We find Lark, our 19-year-old MC, nearly dead on a beach in some broken-down society. In flashbacks, we learn that Lark, as a gay man, is trying to escape the ultra-conservative and violent anti-government forces that have taken hold of nearly the whole world. Lark tells us his memories about hiding out with a small group in the woods for years, where he found his first love. Then our story moves forward, and we follow Lark’s travels as he tries to find a maybe-mythical ~free land~ deep in the heart of Ireland. Along the way, we pick up a tiny cast of characters (most lovably Seamus the beagle) who represent different perspectives in this new, awful world.
It’s just not interesting. This alt-right revolution? We learn borderline nothing about it. It just…exists? I guess? And I couldn’t find it in me to care about any of the characters who accompany Lark (even the beagle…and I am the owner of a beagle myself). It’s very “Parable of the Sower” (which I found horrendously boring) but somehow even less fleshed-out. I realize the setting is supposed to be a futuristic dystopia, but frankly, this book could have taken place anywhere, anytime. They’re just like, in the woods the whole time, escaping generally antagonistic forces.
I appreciate when an author attempts something different, so props to House for the try–but this ain’t it. I have heard great things though about his near-autobiographical novels, so I’ll still have to check those out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 741 reviews