First published 2017
In 1950, a young doctor named Norton Perina joins an expedition to a remote Micronesian island. There, he discovers a tribe of forest dwellers with fantastically long lifespans. Obsessed with unlocking their secret, Perina smuggles back a rare turtle that holds the key to their longevity. His breakthrough earns him global fame, but the miracle comes at a terrible price as his own demons take hold. A gripping tale of ambition, sacrifice, and the human cost of the pursuit of eternal life.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, contemporary, anthropology, 21st-century
Vibes: dark, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Micronesia, Micronesia (Federated States)
496 pages · Paperback · Vintage
Content warnings: medical-trauma