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2011 Best of Fiction: Debut Titles

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Cover art for THE NIGHT CIRCUS
FICTION
Released: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Star THE NIGHT CIRCUS
by Erin Morgenstern
"Likely to be a big book—and, soon, a big movie, with all the franchise trimmings."
Self-assured, entertaining debut novel that blends genres and crosses continents in quest of magic. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ART OF FIELDING
FICTION
Released: Sept. 7, 2011
Kirkus Star THE ART OF FIELDING
by Chad Harbach
"A promising debut--and one guaranteed to draw attention, for it commanded an unusually big advance and will likely be pushed accordingly. Stay tuned."
An amiable, Middle American, baseball-centric coming-of-age tale. Read full book review >
Cover art for WE THE ANIMALS
FICTION
Released: Sept. 2, 2011
Kirkus Star WE THE ANIMALS
by Justin Torres
"Upon finishing, readers might be tempted to start again, not wanting to let it go."
An exquisitely crafted debut novel--subtle, shimmering and emotionally devastating. Read full book review >
Cover art for THIS BURNS MY HEART
FICTION
Released: July 12, 2011
THIS BURNS MY HEART
by Samuel Park
"Protagonist Soo-Ja's story will enthrall in this first-rate literary effort."
A captivating debut novel from Chicago-based author Park. Read full book review >
Cover art for PARTITIONS
FICTION
Released: June 21, 2011
Kirkus Star PARTITIONS
by Amit Majmudar
"Written with piercing beauty, alive with moral passion and sorrowful insight--a rueful masterpiece."
In his magnificent first novel, poet Majmudar (O°, O°, 2009) embodies the terrible days following the partition of India and Pakistan in the stories of four refugees from sectarian violence. Read full book review >
Cover art for BUZZ ALDRIN, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN ALL THE CONFUSION?
FICTION
Released: June 7, 2011
Kirkus Star BUZZ ALDRIN, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN ALL THE CONFUSION?
by Johan Harstad, translated by Deborah Dawkin
"A modern saga of rocketships, ice floes and dreams of the Caribbean, and great fun to read."
Or, the long-awaited Great Faroese Novel: a splendid confusion about life, love and intrigues in the land of the midnight sun. Read full book review >
Cover art for A CUPBOARD FULL OF COATS
FICTION
Released: June 1, 2011
Kirkus Star A CUPBOARD FULL OF COATS
by Yvvette Edwards
"An impressive debut, particularly notable for its pellucid prose."
First novel explores the trans-generational fallout from an abusive relationship. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SLY COMPANY OF PEOPLE WHO CARE
FICTION
Released: May 3, 2011
Kirkus Star THE SLY COMPANY OF PEOPLE WHO CARE
by Rahul Bhattacharya
"An exotic locale and lyrical language make for a dazzling debut."
Words as musical notes, a book as symphony—so it is with this debut novel, occasionally rippling with pidgin English and yet always sparkling with literary insights, all set within the landscape of a forgotten corner of South America. Read full book review >
Cover art for MOONDOGS
FICTION
Released: March 15, 2011
Kirkus Star MOONDOGS
by Alexander Yates
"An unusual and unusually involving first novel with strong characters and nifty supernatural effects."
The kidnapping of an American businessman in the Philippines sets in motion an odd series of events involving his estranged son, a hard-boiled cop who inspired a hugely popular film series and a ragtag strike force with special powers. Read full book review >
Cover art for ANNABEL
FICTION
Released: Jan. 1, 2011
Kirkus Star ANNABEL
by Kathleen Winter
"A compelling, gracefully written novel about mixed gender that sheds insight as surely as it rejects sensationalism. This book announces the arrival of a major writer."
In a remote coastal town in Newfoundland in the 1970s, a young person of mixed gender struggles for identity, acceptance and understanding Read full book review >