Etna (novel)
 1st edition cover | |
| Author | Paul Yoon |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Oliver Munday |
| Language | English |
| Published | 2026 (Scribner) |
| Pages | 208 |
| ISBN | 978-1-668-02082-1 |
Etna is a 2026 novel by Paul Yoon. It received positive reviews upon release.
Plot
Etna, a young dog, is taken from his home on a coastal farm and drafted as a combat dog. When the war ends, he escapes his unit and embarks on a journey home.
Development history
Yoon was initially inspired to write a novel from the perspective of a dog by his own pet dog, Oscar, saying that he "began to wonder what the world look like through Oscar's eyes."[1][2] He chose to set the novel during wartime because of the experience of his grandparents, who fled North Korea during the Korean War and eventually immigrated to the United States.[1]
Publication history
The novel was released in the United States by Scribner on August 4, 2026.[3]
Reception
Etna received positive reception from critics upon release. Fiona Maazel, writing in The New York Times, described the novel as being "a tear-jerker" and praised Yoon's representation of war and its aftermath.[4] The Atlantic positively compared the book to Henry Hoke's 2023 novel Open Throat and noted the various allusions to The Oddessy.[5]
Shelf Awareness, Booklist, and Publishers Weekly all published starred reviews of the book.[6][7][8] Shelf Awareness praised the plot and described the book as "elegant," while Booklist focused on the novel's prose.[6][7] Publishers Weekly praised Yoon's writing for "convincingly captur[ing] a dog's perspective."[8] Kirkus Reviews, meanwhile, was more mixed, complimenting the prose but criticizing the book for leaning into sentimentality.[3]
References
- 1 2 Newton, Pamela (2026-08-04). "'I Deeply Believe Dogs Have Superpowers and Secrets'". The New York Times. Visuals by Erik Tanner. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- ↑ Perzo, Zoe (2026-07-29). "Q&A with Paul Yoon, Author of August Indie Next List Top Pick "Etna"". American Booksellers Association. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- 1 2 "Etna". Kirkus Reviews. 2026-06-01. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- ↑ Maazel, Fiona (2026-08-12). "Can This Battle-Scarred Dog Ever Find His Way Home?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- ↑ Cote, Rachel Vorona (2026-07-30). "Why Animal Narrators Are All the Rage". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- 1 2 Magras, Michael (2026-06-08). "Starred Review: Etna". Shelf Awareness. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- 1 2 Hong, Terry (July 2026). "Etna". Booklist. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- 1 2 "Etna". Publishers Weekly. 2026-05-05. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
External links
- Etna at Book Marks