Description

The sea has taken everything.

Mau is the only one left after a giant wave sweeps his island village away. But when much is taken, something is returned, and somewhere in the jungle Daphne—a girl from the other side of the globe—is the sole survivor of a ship destroyed by the same wave.

Together the two confront the aftermath of catastrophe. Drawn by the smoke of Mau and Daphne's sheltering fire, other refugees slowly arrive: children without parents, mothers without babies, husbands without wives—all of them hungry and all of them frightened. As Mau and Daphne struggle to keep the small band safe and fed, they defy ancestral spirits, challenge death himself, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down. . . .

Internationally revered storyteller Terry Pratchett presents a breathtaking adventure of survival and discovery, and of the courage required to forge new beliefs.

About the Author

Terry Pratchett's novels have sold more than sixty-five million (give or take a few million) copies worldwide. In January 2009, Queen Elizabeth II made Pratchett a knight in recognition of his "services to literature." Sir Terry lives in England with his wife.

Praise for Nation…

"A rich and thought-provoking read."
-School Library Journal (starred review)

"A searching exploration of good and evil, fate and free will, both as broad and as deep as anything this brilliant author has produced so far. "
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Pratchett's examination of questions about religious belief, the nature of culture and what it means to be human [...] is a terrific, thought-provoking book."
-Washington Post Book World

"A classic survival tale that offers laughs and much to mull over, this is a wonderfully entertaining novel." (starred review)
-KLIATT

"It is hard to imagine a reader who won't feel welcomed into this nation."
-Horn Book (starred review)

"Neatly balancing the somber and the wildly humorous in a riveting tale of discovery, Pratchett shows himself at the height of his powers."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A wonderful story, by turns harrowing and triumphant."
-New York Times Book Review

"Quirky wit and broad vision make this a fascinating survival story on many levels."
-Booklist (starred review)