The New Wilderness

Last updated
The New Wilderness
AuthorDiane Cook
Genre Climate fiction
Publisher Oneworld Publications
Publication date
2020
Publication placeUnited States

The New Wilderness is a 2020 speculative climate fiction novel by Diane Cook. [1]

Contents

Background

Cook developed the idea for the novel while writing Man v. Nature . [2]

Synopsis

In a future where overpopulation and climate change has devastated the environment, a mother and daughter leave the City by taking a part in a study that will reintroduce humans to the last area of protected land in the world.

Reception

The book received positive reviews from critics at the time of its publication. [1] [3] Téa Obreht in a review for The Guardian called it "a fast-paced, thrilling story to ask stomach-turning questions in a moment when it would benefit every soul to have their stomach turned by the prospect of the future she envisions. [4] John Maxwell Hamilton, writing for Callaway Climate Insights, praised the book's prose and exploration of climate change. [5] Lamorna Ash of the Times Literary Supplement also praised it. [6]

The book was shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize. [7]

Television adaptation

In 2020, Warner Bros. Television Studios acquired the rights to adapt the book into a television series. Filmmaker Matt Reeves joined the production as an executive producer. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 Graham, Zack (2020-11-24). "Diane Cook's Morality Tales for Our Climate Future". ISSN   0027-8378 . Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  2. "Diane Cook discusses her prescient, buzzy debut novel 'The New Wilderness'". EW.com. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  3. "Review | Diane Cook's 'The New Wilderness' is accidentally timely but also timeless". The Washington Post. 2020-08-17. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  4. Obreht, Téa (2020-09-04). "The New Wilderness by Diane Cook review – a dazzling debut". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  5. Callaway, David. "Book review: The New Wilderness tests whether man and nature can co-exist". www.callawayclimateinsights.com. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  6. "Other Edens". TLS. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  7. "The New Wilderness | The Booker Prizes". thebookerprizes.com. 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  8. Rosario, Alexandra Del (2020-08-06). "Diane Cook's 'The New Wilderness' Novel In The Works For Television From Matt Reeves' 6th & Idaho & Warner Bros. TV". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-02-05.