Travis interviews author Elizabeth Knox about their latest fantasy novel, The Absolute Book. This bewitching epic fantasy from Penguin Michael Joseph is about a revenge killing, a mysterious scroll box that has survived centuries of fires, and the book that changed everything.
Elizabeth and Travis discuss the unlikely origin story for the Absolute Book, her contribution to the mythology of Purgatory, and the future of The Vintner’s Luck series.
For early access to episodes, extended cuts, and exclusive articles, you can support us on Patreon.
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google
About Elizabeth Knox
Elizabeth has been a full time writer since 1997. She has published twelve novels and three autobiographical novellas and a collection of essays. Her best known books are The Vintner’s Luck, and The Dreamhunter Duet. (Dreamhunter and Dreamquake). Her latest is The Absolute Book. Elizabeth has an ONZM, is an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate, and won the Prime Minister’s Award if Fiction in 2019. Elizabeth teaches World Building at Victoria University and lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her husband, Fergus Barrowman, and her son, Jack.
You can find Elizabeth Knox on Twitter as @ElizabethKnoxNZ or at her website elizabethknox.com.
The Absolute Book
Taryn Cornick believes that the past–her sister’s violent death, and her own ill-conceived revenge–is behind her, and she can get on with her life. She has written a successful book about the things that threaten libraries: insects, damp, light, fire, carelessness and uncaring . . . but not all of the attention it brings her is good.
A policeman, Jacob Berger, questions her about a cold case. Then there are questions about a fire in the library at her grandparents’ house and an ancient scroll box known as the Firestarter, as well as threatening phone calls and a mysterious illness. Finally a shadowy young man named Shift appears, forcing Taryn and Jacob toward a reckoning felt in more than one world.
The Absolute Book is epic, action-packed fantasy in which hidden treasures are recovered, wicked things resurface, birds can talk, and dead sisters are a living force. It is a book of journeys and returns, from contemporary England to Auckland, New Zealand; from a magical fairyland to Purgatory. Above all, it is a declaration of love for stories and the ways in which they shape our worlds and create gods out of mortals.
Transcript:
We will be posting full episode transcripts as our Patron support permits. If you liked our Elizabeth Knox interview, your support can help us make the podcast accessible for all.
