The Shell Collector

by Anthony Doerr

First published 2021

In a remote Kenyan village, a blind shell collector lives in solitude with his dog. When a young girl falls gravely ill, the collector uses his deadly expertise to cure her. This simple act of compassion unexpectedly propels the reclusive man into the spotlight, as the awestruck community witnesses his unique abilities. Amidst the dramatic backdrop of the African landscape, the story explores the collector's quiet grief and search for purpose.

Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, african-literature, contemporary

Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: found-family

Setting: Kenya

Period: Contemporary

240 pages · Paperback · Scribner

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