What We Can Know (Standalone Literary Fiction) Hardcover by Ian McEwan

From Booker Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling author Ian McEwan comes What We Can Know, a masterfully crafted standalone literary novel that blends mystery, speculative fiction, historical intrigue, and philosophical reflection into an unforgettable exploration of memory, truth, and the enduring power of literature.

In 2014, acclaimed poet Francis Blundy celebrates his wife's birthday by reading a newly written poem, A Corona for Vivien, before a small gathering of family and friends. The evening seems ordinary, yet the poem vanishes without a trace, becoming one of literature's greatest mysteries for generations to come.

More than a century later, in the year 2119, rising seas and the aftermath of nuclear catastrophe have transformed much of the world. In what remains of southern England, scholar Thomas Metcalfe dedicates his life to recovering fragments of a lost civilization. His greatest obsession is locating the missing poem that has captivated historians for decades.

As Thomas uncovers long-forgotten clues, he is drawn into a web of hidden relationships, buried crimes, and life-altering secrets that reshape everything he believed about the past. Across two centuries, lives become unexpectedly intertwined in a profound meditation on love, memory, legacy, and the stories humanity leaves behind.

Elegant, intellectually rich, and emotionally resonant, What We Can Know combines literary suspense with speculative fiction to create an unforgettable novel about history, human connection, and the limits of what we can truly understand.

This standalone novel is perfect for readers who enjoy literary fiction, philosophical storytelling, and thought-provoking speculative mysteries.

What We Can Know – A Standalone Literary Fiction Novel

Perfect for fans of Kazuo Ishiguro, David Mitchell, Emily St. John Mandel, Margaret Atwood, Amor Towles, and Colson Whitehead, What We Can Know features literary mystery, speculative fiction, dual timelines, historical intrigue, climate fiction, philosophical themes, post-apocalyptic settings, and beautifully crafted prose.

Product Details

Title: What We Can Know

Author: Ian McEwan

Format: Hardcover

Series: Standalone Novel

Genre:

• Literary Fiction
• Speculative Fiction
• Literary Mystery
• Climate Fiction
• Historical Fiction

Pages: 320

Dimensions: 1.15 x 9.45 x 6.51 inches

Publication Date: September 23, 2025

Features:

• Standalone novel
• New York Times bestseller
• New York Times Notable Book
• Literary fiction
• Speculative fiction
• Literary mystery
• Dual timeline
• Climate fiction
• Philosophical themes
• Post-apocalyptic setting
• Book club favorite
• Booker Prize-winning author

Author Biography

Ian McEwan is a Booker Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling author widely regarded as one of the foremost contemporary novelists. His acclaimed works include Atonement, Saturday, Amsterdam, On Chesil Beach, The Children Act, Enduring Love, and Machines Like Me. His novels have received numerous literary honors, been translated into dozens of languages, and inspired multiple award-winning film adaptations. Renowned for his elegant prose, psychological depth, and thought-provoking storytelling, McEwan continues to be one of the most celebrated voices in modern literature.