Kirjahaku

Sly, surprising, and razor-sharp, Natural Beauty follows a young musician into an elite, beauty-obsessed world where perfection comes at a staggering cost. Our narrator produces a sound from the piano no one else at the Conservatory can. She employs a technique she learned from her parents--also talented musicians--who fled China in the wake of the Cultural Revolution. But when an accident leaves her parents debilitated, she abandons her future for a job at a high-end beauty and wellness store in New York City. Holistik is known for its remarkable products and procedures--from remoras that suck out cheap Botox to eyelash extensions made of spider silk--and her new job affords her entry into a world of privilege and gives her a long-awaited sense of belonging. She becomes transfixed by Helen, the niece of Holistik's charismatic owner, and the two strike up a friendship that hazily veers into more. All the while, our narrator is plied with products that slim her thighs, smooth her skin, and lighten her hair. But beneath these creams and tinctures lies something sinister. A piercing, darkly funny debut, Natural Beauty explores questions of consumerism, self-worth, race, and identity--and leaves readers with a shocking and unsettling truth.

"A superb work of fiction."--New York Times Book Review What if you could enter the mind of the person you love the most? Enka meets Mathilde in art school and is instantly drawn to her. Mathilde makes art that feels truly original, and Enka--trying hard to prove herself in this fiercely competitive world--pours everything into their friendship. But when Mathilde's fame and success cause her to begin drifting away, Enka becomes desperate to keep her close. Enter SCAFFOLD. Purported to enhance empathy, this cutting-edge technology could allow Enka to inhabit Mathilde's mind and access her memories, artistic inspirations, and deep-seated trauma. Undergoing this procedure would link Enka and Mathilde forever. But at what cost? Blisteringly smart, thought-provoking, and shocking, Immaculate Conception offers us a portrait of close friendship--achingly tender and twisted--that captures the tenuous line between love and possession that will haunt you long after you turn the final page.

'A meditation on how horror can lurk beneath the surface of even the most poreless skin' New York Times Winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Best Bisexual Novel 2024A WIRED Best Book of 2023An Audible Best Horror Book of 2023For fans of The SubstanceOur narrator produces a wondrous sound from the piano learned from her mother and father, who fled China in the wake of the Cultural Revolution. But when an accident leaves her parents debilitated, she abandons her future for a job at a high-end beauty and wellness store.Holistik is known for its remarkable products and procedures, and her new job affords her entry into an unimagined world of privilege. She becomes transfixed by Helen, the niece of Holistik’s charismatic owner, and the two strike up a friendship that hazily veers into more.All the while, our narrator is plied with products that slim her thighs, smooth her skin and lighten her hair. But beneath these creams and tinctures lies something much darker...A piercing, darkly funny debut, Natural Beauty explores questions of consumerism, self-worth, race, and identity — and leaves readers with a shocking and unsettling truth.Praise for Natural Beauty 'A darkly absurd and hilarious skewering of the luxury beauty industry, as well as a heart-wrenching story of a woman left alone in the world' Buzzfeed'The novel seamlessly blends sf, literary fiction, suspense, and body horror while also exploring the oppression of the beauty industry and the Chinese immigrant experience in America' Booklist, starred review'Alternatingly poignant and deeply unsettling, this is an outstanding first outing for an immensely talented author' Publishers Weekly, starred review'A propulsive, captivating read, Natural Beauty pulled me into its world like a fever dream' Constance Wu, star of Crazy Rich Asians'Precise, unflinching, and utterly unforgettable, Natural Beauty is both a razor-sharp critique of the beauty industry and a startlingly tender story of family and sacrifice. This book will swallow you whole' Grace D. Li, New York Times bestselling author of Portrait of a Thief'A modern-day Portrait of Dorian Gray shot through a Cronenburgian lens' Nick Cutter, author of The Troop

An obsessive friendship is upended by cutting-edge technology that can connect minds in remarkable and therapeutic ways, but also risks the blurring of their identities.

‘Huang’s Immaculate Conception is unlike anything else I’ve read this year... a heartfelt love letter to art, and a superb work of fiction’ New York Times A portrait of companionship – achingly tender and twisted – that captures the tenuous line between love and possession.Mathilde is a dizzyingly talented, tortured artist whose star is on the rise – and Enka, struggling to create art that feels original, is immediately drawn to her.The two strike up a close friendship, but when Mathilde’s fame reaches new heights, her work becoming more and more extreme, Enka becomes desperate to keep her close – no matter the cost.Enka falls in love with and marries a billionaire whose family’s company is funding new technology purported to enhance empathy, and which could allow someone else to inhabit Mathilde’s mind and absorb the trauma infecting her brain.But as their codependency deepens, the boundaries between Mathilde and Enka begin to blur, setting in motion a haunting series of events that will forever change their lives.Blisteringly smart, thought-provoking, and eerily timely, Immaculate Conception deftly navigates big questions of art, technology, authorship, and what makes us human. Its answers will haunt you long after you turn the final page.Special Collector’s Edition WHILE STOCKS LAST. First UK print run features stunning paperback design, demy with flaps, with soft touch cover.Praise for Immaculate Conception ‘Huang’s brilliant, imaginative, and ambitious novel gripped me from beginning to end. I loved every moment of it’ Monika Kim, author of The Eyes Are the Best Part‘Huang, the real-life genius holding the palette, deftly weaves competition, longing, fantastical technology, and gobsmacking imagery into an unforgettable tale... utterly gripping: an immersive, transformative read’ Sierra Greer, author of Annie Bot‘Immaculate Conception radiates with imagination. A thrilling tale about art’s awesome power, about profound friendship, and how both destroy as well as build. Surprising at every turn, Ling Ling Huang has created an unforgettable novel’ Gerardo Sámano Córdova, author of Monstrillo‘Huang’s latest is a hit’ Elle

"A superb work of fiction."-New York Times Book Review What if you could enter the mind of the person you love the most? Enka meets Mathilde in art school and is instantly drawn to her. Mathilde makes art that feels truly original, and Enka-trying hard to prove herself in this fiercely competitive world-pours everything into their friendship. But when Mathilde's fame and success cause her to begin drifting away, Enka becomes desperate to keep her close. Enter SCAFFOLD. Purported to enhance empathy, this cutting-edge technology could allow Enka to inhabit Mathilde's mind and access her memories, artistic inspirations, and deep-seated trauma. Undergoing this procedure would link Enka and Mathilde forever. But at what cost? Blisteringly smart, thought-provoking, and shocking, Immaculate Conception offers us a portrait of close friendship-achingly tender and twisted-that captures the tenuous line between love and possession that will haunt you long after you turn the final page.