Endling
ABOUT
THE BOOK
Set in Ukraine, an eccentric scientist breeding rare snails crosses paths with sisters posing as members of the marriage industry to find their activist mother. As Russia invades, they embark on a wild journey with kidnapped bachelors and a last-of-its-kind snail. This darkly comic novel explores survival, love, and hope in times of encroaching darkness.
NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS
Maria Reva’s Endling is a thrilling ride that careens from endangered snail rescue into the Ukrainian bridal industry and a bizarre heist before being derailed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Endling’s themes of global misogyny, climate change and war are timely and important; compelling characterizations and dark humour make it a thoroughly enjoyable read. Reva’s bold experiments with form surprise and challenge the reader, as the author explores the nature of writing fiction about war in Ukraine as an expatriate in Canada. (Ottawa Public Library)