Publication Day: When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
“When she woke, she was red. Not flushed, not sunburned, but the solid, declarative red of a stop sign.
She saw her hands first. She held them in front of her eyes, squinting up at them. For a few seconds, shadowed by her eyelashes and backlit by the hard white light emanating from the ceiling, they appeared black. Then her eyes adjusted, and the illusion faded. She examined the backs, the palms. They floated above her, as starkly alien as starfish . . .”
—from When She Woke
So begins Hillary Jordan’s riveting new novel, When She Woke, publishing today. In the haunting first scene, Hannah Payne wakes up on a table in a bare room, covered by nothing but a flimsy paper gown. Her skin is now red and her every movement is broadcasted live on national television. In this grim vision of America’s not-too-distant future, watching “Chromes”–criminals whose skin color has been genetically altered to match the class of their crime–has become a sinister form of entertainment. Hannah is a Red; her crime is murder. The victim, according to the state of Texas, was her unborn child. Hannah is determined to protect the identity of the father, a public figure with whom she shared a fierce and forbidden love.
In her Bellwether Prize-winning debut, Mudbound, Jordan gave us a stunning recreation of America’s past. Now she returns with a haunting and all-too-familiar vision of America’s future in which faith, love, and sexuality have fallen prey to politics. When She Woke is a powerful re-imagining of The Scarlet Letter, set in an America where the line between church and state no longer exists and criminals are no longer imprisoned and rehabilitated, but “chromed” and released back into society to survive as best they can. In Hannah’s attempts to find solace in a hostile world, she unknowingly embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will force her to question her country’s values–and her own. When She Woke is both a timely fable of a society that politicizes the personal and a powerful story of one woman’s struggle to reclaim herself.
We’ve set aside three copies for our devoted fans. For a chance to win one, just leave a comment here or on our Facebook page and you’ll be automatically entered!
When She Woke has already garnered rave reviews from critics and booksellers alike. So far, it’s been:
- The #1 Indie Next pick for October
- One of Publishers Weekly Top 10 Literary Fiction picks for the fall
- One of O Magazine‘s Fall Reading picks
Check out some of Hillary Jordan’s fantastic reviews below and don’t miss the excerpt at the bottom of this page.
“[A] chilling futuristic novel.”—O: The Oprah Magazine
“[A] provocative, politically charged novel… [Hannah’s] journey to reclaim herself is equally chilling and riveting.”—Family Circle
“Jordan’s elegant prose and thrilling plot make for an engrossing read, while her well-structured examination of our Schadenfreude-hungry culture and the precarious position of women’s rights within it make for a thought-provoking one.” —Shelf Awareness
“When She Woke is one of those books I did not want to put down. I read it in one sitting because the story was so desperate and dark and engrossing … It’s a well-paced literary thriller, very engaging.”–Bookslut
“Christian fundamentalists may shun this novel, but book clubs will devour it, and savvy educators will pair it with Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter. Essential.”—Library Journal
“Jordan blends hot-button issues such as separation of church and state, abortion, and criminal justice with an utterly engrossing story, driven by a heroine as layered and magnetic as Hester Prynne herself, and reminiscent, too, of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (1985). Absolutely a must-read.”—Booklist, starred review
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Overall Score
Reader Rating: 0 Votes
I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this novel. Would LOVE to win a copy!!!
I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this novel. Would LOVE to win a copy!!!
Yes! I’ve heard great things about When She Woke. Can’t wait to read it.
What an intriguing premise! I can’t wait to see how this plays out in Ms. Jordan’s book.
What an intriguing premise! I can’t wait to see how this plays out in Ms. Jordan’s book.
can’t wait to read it!
This sounds like such an interesting concept! I would love to win. 🙂
This sounds like such an interesting concept! I would love to win. 🙂
Oh would love love to win and read this one!!!!
Oh would love love to win and read this one!!!!
So looking forward to reading this! Great to have a chance to get a free copy!
I am not familiar with the author. The book looks interesting. Thanks.
I am not familiar with the author. The book looks interesting. Thanks.
The intro sounds so enticing!!! I hope to have the opportunity to read this soon!
Wow! Sounds amazing! I would love to win a copy!
Wow! Sounds amazing! I would love to win a copy!
This book has been on my to-read list since I first heard about it. Can’t wait to read.
I tend to think that as a general, the quality of modern novels has continually eroded over time and it is rare that I should find one that by merely reading the intro and having no recommendations that I wish to read. However, this book, even going by only the intro, sounds absolutely enthralling and rapturous. I’d be honored to win a copy!
I tend to think that as a general, the quality of modern novels has continually eroded over time and it is rare that I should find one that by merely reading the intro and having no recommendations that I wish to read. However, this book, even going by only the intro, sounds absolutely enthralling and rapturous. I’d be honored to win a copy!
How exciting! Hope I win one!
How exciting! Hope I win one!
I read a glowing shelf-talker review for this book at my local indie bookstore and made a mental note at the time to put it on my TBR list. Your bookseller always knows best.
This is a book that I want to read! I would love to win a copy of When She Woke. It sounds riveting!
This is a book that I want to read! I would love to win a copy of When She Woke. It sounds riveting!
I have been looking for a great new book for our book discussion group and this looks like a winner.
Hillary Jordan’s Mudbound was the summer reading selection at Appalachian State University in 2010, and she spoke at convocation as part of the summer reading program. Reading her book and hearing her speak were unforgettable experiences. While she was in Boone, Ms. Jordan told us a bit about the new book she was working on. Congratulations on the publication of “When She Woke.” I look forward to reading it.
Hillary Jordan’s Mudbound was the summer reading selection at Appalachian State University in 2010, and she spoke at convocation as part of the summer reading program. Reading her book and hearing her speak were unforgettable experiences. While she was in Boone, Ms. Jordan told us a bit about the new book she was working on. Congratulations on the publication of “When She Woke.” I look forward to reading it.
can NOT wait to read this!
Pick me, please.
Pick me, please.
I have been looking forward to this coming out for what feels like ages, can not wait to read it!
can`t wait to read it!!
can`t wait to read it!!
This book is really sound like a good read I hope to win this copy!!! can’t wait!!!
I’d love a copy!
I’d love a copy!
I would love to win a copy!
I would love to win a copy!
I would love a copy. Sounds great.
I already read this in arc form, but I gave my arc and rave recommendation to a bookstore buyer. Finally got around to reading MUDBOUND, which is every bit as strong a novel. Ms. Jordan is shaping up to be this genereation’s Sinclair Lewis.
Since I no longer have a copy of WHEN SHE WOKE, which I continue to plug, I would love to win a copy. ‘Course I’ll buy one if I don’t win one of your three.
I already read this in arc form, but I gave my arc and rave recommendation to a bookstore buyer. Finally got around to reading MUDBOUND, which is every bit as strong a novel. Ms. Jordan is shaping up to be this genereation’s Sinclair Lewis.
Since I no longer have a copy of WHEN SHE WOKE, which I continue to plug, I would love to win a copy. ‘Course I’ll buy one if I don’t win one of your three.
I’ve never won a book. Please be my first victory:)
I’ve never won a book. Please be my first victory:)
sounds intriguing and I would love to win a copy
I absolutely loved Mudbound. Hillary Jordan is so talented. I can’t wait to read this novel. I’d love to win a copy!
I absolutely loved Mudbound. Hillary Jordan is so talented. I can’t wait to read this novel. I’d love to win a copy!
Wow, would love to win!
Would LOVE a copy…sounds like an incredible read!
Would LOVE a copy…sounds like an incredible read!
What a great plot! Sounds like a great read!
What a great plot! Sounds like a great read!
There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this book, even prior to publication. We’re introducing genre months in our book group, and the month of January will be dystopian fiction; “When she woke” will be one of my shortlisted suggestions, and I hope the other group members will pick it because I can’t wait to get my hands on this one!
Sounds great!
Sounds great!
I keep on hearing about this book. It ‘s getting a ton of positive buzz.
I’m sold; my ears are perked and it’s now on my to-read list!
I keep on hearing about this book. It ‘s getting a ton of positive buzz.
I’m sold; my ears are perked and it’s now on my to-read list!
I really want to read this book!
Sounds exciting, count me in…
Sounds exciting, count me in…
Big fan of Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter — would love to read When She Woke with that favorite text in mind!
Big fan of Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter — would love to read When She Woke with that favorite text in mind!
An engrossing read, to be sure. Can’t wait to get a copy!
Sounds like such a great read! Count me in 🙂
Sounds like such a great read! Count me in 🙂
This sounds like a fascinating novel. I would certainly read it.
I cant wait to read this reinterpretation of The Scarlet Letter. I love books!
I cant wait to read this reinterpretation of The Scarlet Letter. I love books!