The Museum of Human History

Bergman’s cluttered yet satisfying speculative debut centers on an algae-derived drug that stops physical aging but comes with dire side effects, including memory loss and a shorter life span. Genesix head researcher Naomi Wilhelm hopes to uncover the corporation’s secrets about Prosyntus, but she accidentally dies while swimming off an island where the algae is sourced. Shortly after, Naomi’s eight-year-old daughter, Maeve, has an accident at the same place, which puts her in a coma. Now, 25 years into the future, Maeve is still in a coma and hasn’t aged physically. Bergman also delves into the stories of Maeve’s identical twin, Evangeline; Monique Gray, a famous performance artist and former babysitter of the twins; Tess, a terminally ill woman who befriends a young Evangeline and acts as Monique’s immigration officer; and more. By the end, the various characters converge around Maeve on the eve of a deadly earthquake. The cast slips in and out of each other’s lives, a narrative device that Bergman doesn’t always master—the large number of coincidental connections occasionally strains credulity. Still, the characters’ loss and grief are palpable. This will leave readers considering the fallibility of memory and the costs of attempting to preserve one’s youthful appearance. Agent: Alexa Stark, Writers House. (Aug.)