“Quiet, cool-toned. . . . Scenes vibrate with the high-key hopes and anxieties of adolescence, the inherent loneliness of being a person in the world.”—The New York Times
“A mesmerizing tale about the mysteries of the brain, the limits of rationality and the magic of love.”—People
“Engrossing . . . Sculpting a novel that conveys vastness through inner lives alone is a tremendous challenge. Making that same novel a page-turning mystery that’s simultaneously moving and often nail-biting is another challenge altogether. With The Strange Case of Jane O., Karen Thompson Walker rises to meet both of these challenges head-on, and succeeds.”—BookPage
“A brilliant and unforgettable novel, at once a metaphysical thriller, a psychological mystery, and a profound love story—a book for every haunted heart. I couldn’t put it down.”—Karen Russell, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of Swamplandia!
“An astonishing novel—a mind-blowing blend of page-turning mystery and deep philosophical inquiry into the nature of memory and reality itself . . . Karen Thompson Walker has created an unputdownable book (I read it in a single day) with a haunting twist ending I’ll be thinking about for a long time. I’m in awe.”—Angie Kim, New York Times bestselling author of Happiness Falls
“In her brilliant and mesmerizing new novel, Karen Thompson Walker asks thrilling and vital questions about perception, memory, consciousness, and the limits of our known world. Elegant, propulsive, ingeniously structured, and intellectually rich, The Strange Case of Jane O. is both mind-bending and soul-altering. I loved it.”—Jessamine Chan, author of The School for Good Mothers
“This is one of the best books I’ve ever read.”—Olivia Gatwood, author of Whoever You Are, Honey
“Walker (The Dreamers) often juxtaposes the past and what might be the future, to create stories that feel both visceral and luminous. . . . At once quiet and intense, the novel takes an unexpected turn during its final chapters that begs its audience to reread in search of clues. Perfect for readers who like their literary fiction with an edge of psychological mystery.”—Library Journal
“Mesmerizing . . . an alluring vision of how personal history and memory intertwine.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“In the acknowledgments, Thompson Walker writes that she spent years researching this book, and that research is evident. . . . Thompson Walker’s masterful prose propels the reader through this haunting and sublime story. Highly recommended.”—Booklist, starred review
“The relationships among scientific fact, emotion, and psychology are tangled here. No viewpoint is reliable, but no one is wrong. [Walker turns] the narrative on its head in satisfyingly disturbing ways. . . . An exhilarating and riveting must-read and then read-again.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review