A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor

Green’s slow-moving and philosophically dense sequel to the comic sci-fi novel An Absolutely Remarkable Thing brings readers up to speed on the rocky aftermath of the departure of the Carls, giant robotic statues that sprung up overnight in cities around the world. The Carls vanished just as quickly as they appeared, and their discoverer, April May, is missing and presumed dead. A few months later, April’s friends—along with the rest of the world—are still struggling to put together what happened. April’s best friend, Andy, has inherited her misbegotten fame; her ex-girlfriend Maya, unconvinced of April’s death, sets out to find her; and scientist Miranda arrives at an ethical crossroads in her work. When the people who loved April most each receive a mysterious book able to predict the future, they follow its clues to find April alive—but in an entirely new form. Reunited, the friends band together once more in order to save the world from a mounting technological threat. Though the narrator shifts in each chapter, the perspectives of the vast cast are often indistinguishable from each other. Readers will have to hang in until the midpoint before the plot begins to come together, but once it does, it’s thrilling to watch the puzzle pieces fall into place. This is best suited for Green’s diehard fans. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (July)