A New York Times Bestseller

Kristen Arnett's debut novel is a darkly funny, heart-wrenching, and eccentric look at loss and love.

Kristen Arnett's breakout bestseller is a darkly funny, big-hearted American debut about family, love, death and taxidermy!

'This book is my song of the summer' Parul Seghal, New York Times

What does it take to come back to life? For Jessa-Lynn Morton, the question is not an abstract one. In the wake of her father's suicide, Jessa has stepped up to manage his failing taxidermy business while the rest of the Morton family crumbles. Her mother starts sneaking into the taxidermy shop to make provocative animal art, while her brother, Milo, withdraws. And Brynn, Milo's wife?and the only person Jessa's ever been in love with?walks out without a word. It's not until the Mortons reach a tipping point that a string of unexpected incidents begins to open up surprising possibilities and second chances. But will they be enough to salvage this family, to help them find their way back to one another?

Kristen Arnett's breakout bestseller is a darkly funny family portrait; a peculiar, bighearted look at love and loss and the ways we live through them together.


'Messed-up families, scandalous love affairs, art, life, death and the great state of Florida in one delicious, darkly funny package. Kristen Arnett is a wickedly talented and a wholly original voice' Jami Attenberg

'There's a gunslinger cool to every sentence . . . Kristen Arnett is the queen of the Florida no one has ever told you about' Alexander Chee

'The writing is subtle and meditative, with the tactile weight of dense fur' The New Yorker