“About once a decade I stumble across a book that so captures the imagination and upends my perspective, I can’t help but recommend it everywhere. Stephen Markely’s ‘The Deluge’ explores a realistic near future of increasing climate disruption with all the natural, political and economic upheaval. Markley’s writing breathes life into the disparate interlocking narratives through which the world of our making comes into focus. From executive office to back-alley fix, halls of Congress to townie church revival, Markley’s writing is never preachy and often breath-taking.

“‘The Deluge’ fulfills the need to build a narrative around what science has been predicting for decades – sure we’re heading beyond 450+ ppm CO2 and 2 degrees Celsius but what does that look like in our lives? How would 120 million climate refugees affect the world when just 6 million refugees threw the EU into political turmoil? ‘The Deluge’ is deeply researched and offers quite a bit of hope but makes it clear we’re all culpable and little can be done without a critical mass working towards systemic changes (like a national Carbon Fee and Dividend policy he highlights). Markley knows storytelling can change the world, and he just may do so with this big, brilliant, brave novel. It may not be perfect or easy to read, but ‘The Deluge’ is an enormous achievement and maybe the most important novel I’ve read in decades.” — PETER DUGAS, Portland

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Mainers, please email to tell us about the book on your bedside table right now. In a paragraph or two, describe the book and be sure to tell us what drew you to it. We want to hear what you are reading and why. Send your selection to pgrodinsky@pressherald.com, and we may use it as a future Bedside Table.

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