The Perishing

This philosophical and thought-provoking novel opens in 2102 with an immortal Black woman named Sarah reminiscing about her previous lives, specifically, her time spent as Lou in 1930s Los Angeles. One morning, Lou wakes up with no memories. Cared for by a foster family, Lou pursues education and eventually becomes the first Black woman journalist at the Los Angeles Times. However, flashes of memories haunt her, and she specifically finds herself remembering a man’s face, someone she’s never met before until one fateful day they do meet, and Lou begins to piece together her history as an immortal. Reminiscent of Octavia E. Butler, this ambitious new novel by Natashia Deón intermingles the past, present, and future.