Lyceum Agency

Dear Readers,

As I mentioned in the announcement for Queen Esther, a younger version of my favorite character from The Cider House Rules, Dr. Larch, reappears in the new novel—as does the orphanage at St. Cloud’s. But when I began writing Queen Esther, three years ago, I didn’t know its publication would coincide with the 40th anniversary of The Cider House Rules.

The unadopted orphans are an entirely new cast of characters—Esther Nacht among them, a Viennese-born Jew, whose life is shaped by anti-Semitism. She is born “to be of use”—as Dr. Larch instructs the orphans in his care to be.

I can’t wait to share Queen Esther with all of you. The new book is available now for pre-order at Simon & Schuster (in US and UK) and Knopf Canada (in Canada).

Pre-order at Simon & Schuster: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Queen-Esther/John-Irving/9781501189449
Pre-order at Knopf Canada: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/586584/queen-esther-by-john-irving/9780735276246

—John

We go out to sea because we want to come home. That’s not what happened, but that’s what you want… Journalist Anthony Fennell is in pursuit of a story buried at the bottom of the sea: the network of tiny fibre-optic tubes that carry the world’s information across the ocean floor - and what happens when they break. Aboard a cable repair vessel captained by Chief of Mission John Conway, Fennell learns the rhythms of life at sea, and finds his place among the band of drifters who make up the crew. But as the mission falters, tensions simmer - and Conway is thrown into crisis. A terrible, violent tragedy is unfolding on the life he has left behind on land; and, trapped out at sea, it seems as if the vast expanse of the ocean is closing in. Then Conway disappears; and Fennell must set out to find him. Preorder your UK and Irish copies here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/twist/colum-mccann/9781526656933

Colum and Diane have already hit the best seller lists in France and Ireland both! Coming to your local book shops in the United States next week.... Don't forget that significant proceeds from the book will go to the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.

Upcoming Tour Dates

MARCH 4 NEW YORK … with NBC’S CRAIG MELVIN! 7 p.m
NYC/BARNES & NOBLE: https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062164714-0
MARCH 6 NEW YORK IRISH ARTS CENTER … with BUDD MISHKIN
https://irishartscenter.org/.../colum-mccann-and-diane-foley
MARCH 7 … with BOSTON/HARVARD BOOK 7pm with CHARLIE SENNOTT (Ground Truth Project) STORE: https://www.harvard.com/.../colum_mccann_and_diane_m._foley/
MARCH 8 BOSTON CHILDRENS HOSPITAL Noon …
Boston Childrens Hospital link to come
MARCH 9 PHILADELPHIA … with STING!
Tickets only $30!! Including a book.
PHILADELPHIA FREE LIBRARY … https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/event/134554
MARCH 15 WASHINGTON D.C
DC/POLITICS & PROSE: https://www.politics-prose.com/colum-mccan-diane-foley
MARCH 24 SAN FRANCISCO … IRISH ARTS FESTIVAL
https://www.presidiotheatre.org/show/colum-mccann/
MARCH 25 SAN DIEGO UNIVERSITY … KROC CENTER
https://www.warwicks.com/event/mccann-2024
MARCH 28 WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY, UTAH
APRIL 11 NJ/FRIENDS OF RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY:
www.eventbee.com/v/2024authorluncheon #/tickets
MAY 13 SYMPHONY SPACE, N.Y, with DAN BARRY of The New York Times

How about the first week of booktour, you ask? Can you at least tell us about the first week?

Sure! With links.

LA
https://www.skylightbooks.com/event/skylight-jonathan-lethem-presents-brooklyn-crime-novel-w-danzy-senna

BALTIMORE
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jonathan-lethem-brooklyn-crime-novel-tickets-648965702887?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

DC
https://www.politics-prose.com/jonathan-lethem

New Yorker Festival
https://www.goelevent.com/NewYorkerFestival/e/Jonathan-Lethem-Colson-Whitehead?_ga=2.239166595.1403477209.1694715777-438565692.1692184225&_gac=1.119009403.1692441866.Cj0KCQjw0IGnBhDUARIsAMwFDLkw6DiQy_w1eEWABw-LgHIRTf7wOe3-xx5PtuIamysDHtlhxQwgF6saAjEeEALw_wcB

Dear Readers, I’m continuing the countdown to publication. Less than two weeks until The Last Chairlift is in stores, libraries, and (hopefully) on your bookshelves! This week has been a momentous one; I’ve received my own copies of Chairlift from my publishers. Janet had the forethought to capture the moment I opened my first shipment of books. Thankfully she’s still taken with the giddy author in this video. Next Thursday, I’ll be participating in AuthorFest, in conversation with young-adult writer Jason Reynolds. Many local festivals are partnering with Simon & Schuster to present the event, but you can RSVP here: http://spr.ly/6183Mjc7T The Canadian launch of The Last Chairlift is also quickly approaching. It will be hosted by TIFF on October 25th. If you’re in Toronto and interested in attending, you can purchase tickets here: https://www.tiff.net/events/special-event-sexual-politics-and-storytelling-according-to-john-irving Most importantly, I want to continue to stay in conversation with you all as the novel makes its way into the world. I can’t tell you how touching it’s been to read all the messages letting me know you’ve preordered The Last Chairlift. On November 25th, after you’ve had some time to read Chairlift, I’ll answer your questions about the novel during a livestream on Facebook. Please send your questions to [email protected] and I’ll choose from topics you’re interested in hearing more about. If you're looking to purchase the novel before the 18th, you can do so here: https://linktr.ee/lastchairlift —John