Description

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A “richly imagined and darkly comic” (Jenny Offill) love story set in the Arctic Circle that explores self-discovery and the power of starting over. Now a major motion picture, starring Jenny Slate, Gillian Anderson, Zach Galifianakis, and Alex Sharp.

22-year-old Frances has fled heartbreak and claustrophobic Manhattan for an isolated artist colony in the beautiful, barren landscape of northern Norway. Yasha, a Russian immigrant raised in a bakery in Brooklyn, travels to Norway to fulfill his beloved father's last wish: to be buried "at the top of the world." Both have come to learn how to be alone. But under the ever-present midnight sun, Frances and Yasha are surprised to find refuge in each other, instead.

Ninety-five miles north of the Arctic Circle, the two form a bond that fortifies them against the turmoil of their distant homes, offering solace amidst great uncertainty. With nimble and sure-footed prose enriched with humor and warmth, Dinerstein reveals that no matter how far we travel to claim our own territory, it is ultimately love that gives us our place in the world.

About the Author

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Rebecca Dinerstein Knight is the author of the novels Hex and The Sunlit Night, the screenplay for The Sunlit Night—now a major motion picture starring Jenny Slate—and a collection of poems, Lofoten. Her nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times and The New Yorker online, among others. Born and raised in New York City, she lives in New Hampshire. Follow her on Twitter @beckydinerstein. www.rebeccadinerstein.com

Praise For…

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“Quirky, exuberant . . . An original work of gentle irony counterpoised by delightful sincerity, which offers distinct turns of phrase with precision and beauty.” —Wall Street Journal

“The Norwegian Arctic of Dinerstein's imagination is a strange and wonderful place . . . the constant sunlight of midsummer feeds the book's dreamy, surreal quality . . . her narrative style is also dreamlike.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Luminous . . . Dinerstein brings a contagious wonder to her storytelling.” —The Season's Best Literary Fiction, O, the Oprah Magazine

"Lyrical as a poem, psychologically rich as a thriller, funny, dark, warm, and as knowing of place as any travel book or memoir, The Sunlit Night marks the appearance of a brave talent." —Jonathan Safran Foer

“Darkly charming.” —The New Yorker

"A richly imagined and darkly comic story about loneliness and love at the top of the world" —Jenny Offill, author of DEPT. OF SPECULATION

"Dinerstein has done readers a big favor not only by writing this luminous story about love, family, and the bewilderment of being young but also by bringing them into an otherworldly setting: a nightless Arctic summer on the spectacular Lofoten Islands. Enchanting in every way." —Maggie Shipstead, author of ASTONISH ME

"A poignant exploration of what it means to be alone in love, by a stunningly talented young writer." —Vanessa Diffenbaugh, author of THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

"By turns ravishing and hilarious, The Sunlit Night is more than a shining debut--it's the work of a young master. Dinerstein writes of her two lovers with sensitivity and chutzpah: human drama, a nightless summer, the transformative power of nature. Here's an exciting new voice that sings perfectly in key." —Darin Strauss, author of HALF A LIFE

"Exhilarating and undeniably wise. Funny, straight forward, heartbreaking and startling, this book gets our appetites up--for more life lived, for love and community, for knowing ourselves and finding our way through gorgeous and unknown places, for relief and letting go. It's a book you'll be thankful for reading." —Jenny Slate

“Captivating . . . [Dinerstein's] prose is lyrical and silky, but it's also specific, with acute observations and precise detail . . . Provocative . . . A rich reading experience.” —Starred review, Publishers Weekly

“Dinerstein's much buzzed-about debut novel is a fanciful Arctic Circle romance between a Russian immigrant raised in a Brighton Beach bakery and a Manhattanite seeking refuge from family problems in a Norwegian artists' colony.” —The Forward

“Dinerstein's deliciously melancholy debut . . . is light and lyrical and her descriptions of the far north are intoxicating . . . A poetic premise with language to match.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Readers will delight in the often surprising turns of phrase offered by debut novelist Dinerstein . . . The unusual setting and evocative language will appeal to those looking for a summer read with a bit more depth.” —Booklist

“Engaging and alive . . . The Sunlit Night heralds the beginning of an intriguing career in fiction during which Dinerstein will hopefully continue to take us off the beaten path.” —Huffington Post

“Dinerstein's crystalline prose floats off the page, her storytelling delights and surprises. She takes on the travails, absurdities and human failings with warmth and humor, embracing it all and reminding us through her characters to do the same.” —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Funny!” —#1 Vacay Read: "Stories to pack no matter where you're going", Marie Claire

“A rare find . . . With precision and ease, Dinerstein gives us a love story that's about so much more than finding love: it's about finding yourself in the company of another, even when you're far from home.” —#1 of "13 of June 2015's Best Books That Are the Perfect Summer Escape", Bustle

“Get swept away to remote Norway with Dinerstein's lyrical prose about lovers Frances and Yasha. The sites are picturesque, the love is real, and anything can happen.” —17 of the Best Books of Summer, Bustle

“10 Must-Read Books for June.” —Flavorwire

“Dinerstein has demonstrated a level of mastery that would be impressive even in a much more seasoned writer. The Sunlit Night is a funny, wise and tender story, a near perfect blend of disparate elements.” —ShelfAwareness

“Dinerstein's special blend of melancholy and hope renders a character-rich, multifaceted story.” —Elle

“This poetically written novel . . . reminds us that love is more important than geography.” —New York Post

“Refreshing . . . The author is a poet so the prose is, not surprisingly, lyrical but it's observant and witty, too.” —The Daily Mail

“Just spectacular.” —HelloGiggles

“Rebecca Dinerstein has created a tale full of lyrically crafted sentences . . . offering an introspective portrait of young adults coping with the backwash of their parents' disintegrating unions.” —Library Journal

“Quirky and dark despite the light, with vivid descriptions of the crisp air, barren landscapes, and seductive silences.” —Fathom.com

“It's hard to read The Sunlit Night without feeling as though you're enveloped in warmth, swathed by the author's lyricism and imagery. The sensation is one unique to Dinerstein's hand--and perfectly matched for the sun-soaked Nordic tale of lives intersecting at the top of the world.” —Electric Literature

“Dinerstein excels as a writer . . . If you're looking for a book to escape the heat of August, this is the one for you.” —Do South

"Extraordinarily captivating . . . Lyrical, often darkly funny . . . Told against the extraordinary backdrop of sun-filled, endless Norwegian days, of the unique and striking colours that seep out and shine through Dinerstein's vibrant, precise, sun-splashed prose." —The Irish Times