Barbara Ronca Books

An epic, powerful and intensely personal debut about war, migration, family, and the search for a place to call home. For fans of PACHINKO, WILD SWANS and ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE

A celebration of love in its many guises, The Republic of Love recounts the heartfelt tale of two of life's unlucky lovers: Fay, a folklorist whose passion for mermaids has kept her from focusing on any one man; and, right across the street, Tom, a popular radio talk-show host who s been through three marriages and divorces in his search for true happiness.

You can erase the memory. But you cannot erase the crime. Jenny's wounds have healed. An experimental treatment has removed the memory of a horrific and degrading attack. She is moving on with her life. That was the plan. Except it's not working out. Something has gone. The light in the eyes. And something was left behind. A scar. On her lower back. Which she can't stop touching. And she's getting worse. Not to mention the fact that her father is obsessed with finding her attacker and her mother is in toxic denial. It may be that the only way to uncover what's wrong is to help Jenny recover her memory. But even if it can be done, pulling at the threads of her suppressed experience will unravel much more than the truth about her attack. And that could destroy as much as it heals.

In a near-future America, women are restricted to just 100 words a day, a scenario that raises urgent questions about voice and agency. The protagonist, Jean, a neurolinguist, grapples with this extreme limitation, highlighting the chilling implications for society, particularly for the next generation. The narrative resonates powerfully in the context of contemporary movements like #MeToo, emphasizing the critical importance of language. Critics have drawn comparisons to Margaret Atwood's work, noting the unsettling plausibility of the premise. The novel has been described as a futurist thriller that is both intelligent and suspenseful, with a gripping plot that captivates readers. Its provocative themes and crystalline language evoke comparisons to literary giants like Orwell and Huxley, reimagining their insights for the digital age. As a bold and unforgettable debut, it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of silencing voices and the vital role language plays in our lives. This electrifying tale is not just a work of fiction but a cautionary reflection on the present, urging readers to consider the power of their own words.