Join the book club as we read Immortal Longings

Folger Book Club is pleased to announce our next book discussion – Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong on Thursday, April 4 at 6:30pm (ET).

This session will feature a presentation by Mira ‘Assaf Kafantaris, an Assistant Professor of English and Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Butler University, specializing in Premodern Critical Race Studies, Shakespeare, and Early Modern Culture. For the Oxford World Series, she is writing the critical introduction to Antony and Cleopatra. She is a current Folger Institute Fellow.

Participation is free. Click below to reserve your spot.

All discussions will be held in Zoom and we will also share the discussion questions, supplemental materials, and suggestions for sips and snacks in advance.

Hope to see you there!

Register for the discussion

Immortal Longings
by Chloe Gong
Thursday, April 4. at 6:30pm (EDT)

Register for the discussion

#1 New York Times bestselling YA author Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.

Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last to kill him.

Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive. Thankfully, he’s one of the best jumpers in the kingdom, flitting from body to body at will. His last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning.

Calla finds both an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants to mend Talin’s ills. But the three of them have very different goals, even as Calla and Anton’s partnership spirals into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.

Why did we choose this book?

The Folger Shakespeare Library’s collection explores not only Shakespeare’s life and works, but also the plays’ historical context, source material, critical and performance histories, and the ways in which they inspire and are adapted by contemporary novelists.

Author of the hugely popular These Violent Delights, a YA retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai, Chloe Gong turns her attention to Antony and Cleopatra for her first foray into adult fiction.

For this session, we are excited to partner again with Capitol Hill Books in Eastern Market. A used bookstore located on historic Capitol Hill in Washington DC, this local treasure features three floors of quality used books along with a selection of new titles, first editions, and rare books.

Orders can be placed through bookshop.org.

You can also download the audiobook version of this title from Libro.fm.

Click here to purchase your book from Capitol Hill Books

Catch up with Daughters of the Deer

Not able to join us for March's discussion of Daughters of the Deer by Danielle Daniel? The Folger Spotlight has introductory and supplemental material—including discussion questions—to help you explore the book or even host your own conversation.