The Town That Drowned: Tenth Anniversary Edition

A note to US-based customers: All Lit Up is pausing print orders to the USA until further notice. Read more

The Town That Drowned: Tenth Anniversary Edition

A perennial favourite.
“Charming, wry, and believable.” — Quill & Quire

Riel Nason’s novel The Town That Drowned debuted in 2011 to glowing reviews and a flurry of awards, including a Commonwealth Book Prize. Nason’s evocation of the awkwardness of childhood, the thrill of first love, and the importance of having a place to call home made the novel an instant classic. Now in celebration of its 10th anniversary, The Town That Drowned will be released in a special anniversary edition, with an afterword, a fresh design, and an online book club guide.

In the town of Haventon, Ruby Carson’s embarrassing fall through the ice ruins a skating party and prompts an unfortunate vision: her entire town — buildings and people — floating underwater. As orange-tipped surveyor stakes begin to turn up, the residents of Haventon soon discover that a massive dam is being constructed and that most of their homes will be swallowed by the rising water. Suspicions mount, tempers flare, and secrets are revealed. As the town prepares for its own demise, 14-year-old Ruby Carson sees it all from a front-row seat.

AUTHOR

Riel Nason

Riel Nason is a writer and textile artist. She is the author of three novels (including one for middle-grade readers), a children’s picture book, and two books on quilting. The Town That Drowned was her debut novel. It won the Commonwealth Book Prize for Canada and Europe and the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award. She lives in Quispamsis, New Brunswick.

Reviews

“All ages will find The Town That Drowned a powerfully compelling portrait of a community at siege both within and by outsiders, with Ruby representing the perfect focal point of response to vast changes.”
– Donovan Literary Services

“A powerful contemporary examination of a girl who falls through the ice, has a vision of the future of her town, is rescued, and then finds that vision coming to life in an alarming way.”
– Midwest Book Review