Fireflies in Winter

Quotes

"Fireflies in Winter is simply luminous. Eleanor Shearer powerfully explores the fragile spaces in history where Black citizens negotiate freedom, the harsh choices frequently forced upon them, and the powerful force of love within those spaces. A book to treasure."—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club

“Captivating. Eleanor Shearer returns with a memorable tale of two young women yearning for home and love. I was drawn to the historical setting not typically seen in fiction – the lives of eighteenth-century Jamaican Maroons, removed to Canada, free on paper, yet still at risk.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Good Dirt

“A contemplative, atmospheric account of both the 18th century forced Maroon migration to Nova Scotia as well as the love between Cora and Agnes. Eleanor builds a narrative of resilience in deft, descriptive prose and illuminates a less well-known aspect of Caribbean history and I look forward to her next book.”—Cherie Jones, author of the Good Morning America Book Club Pick How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House

"Lyrical, luminous, subtle and moving. A story of resilience in an unforgiving world, as starkly beautiful as a northern winter."—Fiona Valpy, bestselling author of The Dressmaker’s Gift

"Shearer is adept at writing quietly beautiful, heart-wrenching passages. Under her mastery, history is alive in new and wondrous ways. Truly a book for these times; a testament to love, and the indomitable human spirit."—Chikodili Emelumadu, author of Dazzling

"Eleanor Shearer has a compelling way of taking a chamber in history we think we know already, then leading us through hidden doors into chambers off it we had no idea were there. Fireflies in Winter does this abundantly and deserves to be seized upon not just by book clubs but by school libraries."—Patrick Gale, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Place Called Winter

“Beautiful... Shearer thoroughly grounds her story in the realistic details of a history most readers won’t be familiar with, and she conveys the joys and dangers of life in Nova Scotia, where humpback whales leap in the ocean and bear attacks can be fatal. It’s a subtle and morally complex depiction of the price of freedom.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Powerful... combines vividly drawn characters with an emotionally engrossing narrative that explores both the power of love and the difficult choices sometimes required to survive."—Library Journal (starred review)

"Both a fascinating examination of the cost of freedom and a moving account of love outside society’s expectations... [A] triumph of spare but powerful storytelling.”—Booklist

"Haunting, atmospheric and compelling, Fireflies in Winter showcases Shearer’s trademark intelligence, imagination and delicacy of touch."—Jessica Moor, author of The Keeper

Praise for River Sing Me Home

"A gripping novel about the resilience of a mother’s love.”— People

"Shearer’s dynamic debut… weaves together a historical accounting of the perils of British emancipation with a moving interrogation of what freedom really means."—Time

“A powerful novel that explores how freedom and family are truly defined.”—Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian

"An extraordinary odyssey of pain, love, and homecoming as Rachel searches not only for her children but for her own past, her own independence, and her own soul. A haunting and powerful debut.”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye

"A testament to how hard a mother will fight for her kids."—Real Simple

"A strong and beautiful novel that stares into the face of brutality and the heart of love."—Jeanette Winterson, New York Times bestselling author of Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?