{"product_id":"you-shall-see-the-beautiful-things-a-novel-a-nocturne-9781946724595","title":"You Shall See the Beautiful Things: A Novel \u0026 a Nocturne","description":"\u003cb\u003eEnvisioned as a \"nocturne,\" Steve Amick's playful, multilayered novel expansively retells Eugene Field's famed verse \"Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In the fishing village of Scheveningen in 1889, three men build and secretly launch an unorthodox fishing vessel, departing from the long tradition of netting herring using massive boats and large crews. Collaborating in this venture are Wyn van Winkel, a cavalier joker and opium addict currently AWOL from the Aceh War in Sumatra; Ned Nodder, a seasoned fisherman trying to support his family while plagued by narcolepsy and prophetic dreams; and Luuk Blenkin, a scattered young troubadour failing at love and searching for his place in the world. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e As formally innovative as the \"picarooner\" this mismatched trio construct, the narrative lifts off into the fantastical, flitting between reality and irreality. Sparked by lines of the \"Dutch lullaby,\" the inexplicable adventure unfolds--and along the way, we learn of Wyn's romantic recklessness, his broken relationship with his father, and the tragedies of war that scarred and changed him. We witness Ned's unconventional path toward matrimony, as well as the painful loss that made his marriage a true union. We follow Luuk's fumblings for purpose and fulfillment beyond the disgrace that befell his family and marred both his outlook and his prospects. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In the spirit of a nocturne, Steve Amick envelops his characters in the world of night and dreams. Lyrical, historical, surprising, magical, heartwarming, and heartbreaking, \u003ci\u003eYou Shall See the Beautiful Things\u003c\/i\u003e will make readers look at the stars--and herring--in a new light.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSteve Amick\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of the novels \u003ci\u003eNothing But a Smile\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Lake, the River \u0026amp; the Other Lake\u003c\/i\u003e. His work has appeared in \u003ci\u003ePlayboy, McSweeney's, Zoetrope, Southern Review, Story, Michigan Quarterly Review, Cincinnati Review\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e, and on NPR. Amick has taught as part of MFA programs at Northwestern University and Pacific University. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Acre Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50697947644178,"sku":"9781946724595","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_a3d37d95-9cb7-4f3e-868d-753c6da83088.jpg?v=1734312265","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/you-shall-see-the-beautiful-things-a-novel-a-nocturne-9781946724595","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}