On October 27, join France’s defining fantasy/science fiction author of the 21st century Alain Damasio as he discusses with Emily Hockaday, editor of Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, the translation of his novel Horde of the Counterwind.

Twenty-three adventurers––some trained since birth, some joining over the course of a long journey––climb endlessly against the wind that plagues their desolate homeland. Their only purpose: to make it to the Upper Reaches and identify the wind’s mysterious source. Thirty-three hordes before them have tried and failed over the course of 800 years.

In this masterwork whose epic scope and visionary worldbuilding are commonly compared to the universe of Dune, author Alain Damasio moves between narrators, giving voice to each member and alternating between breathtaking descriptions of the unique and bewildering world he has invented––ruled by seven types of wind, classified by their forces––and gripping, rhythmic dialogue.

Horde of the Counterwind has ignited the imaginations of more than a million French fans and was voted the best book of the 21st century by readers of Sens critique and the twelfth-greatest book of all time by Le Monde‘s subscribers. English-speaking audiences have been clamoring for the opportunity to read Damasio’s œuvre for years, and now they’ll have their chance to shoulder their packs and join the adventure.

Alain Damasio is the author of three bestselling French novels: La Zone du Dehors (1999 and 2007), winner of the European Utopiales Prize 2007, the Imaginales high-schoolers Prize 2006 and adapted for the stage in 2016; Horde of the Counterwind (2004), winner of three literary prizes including the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2006 in the category “Francophone novel” and adapted into a graphic novel in 2017; and Les Furtifs (April 2019). Damasio is a triple recipient of the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire, France’s most prestigious science fiction award, and his most recent novel was voted best overall book of 2019.

Emily Hockaday is the editor of Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine. She split her time between Asimov’s and Analog Science Fiction and Fact for over fifteen years. Emily coedited the horror anthology Terror at the Crossroads with Jackie Sherbow and edited the speculative poetry anthology The Heartbeat of the Universe. She is a poet with three full-length collections and six chapbooks. Find her on Instagram @emilyaltahockaday or on the web at www.emilyhockaday.com.

This event is in English and is free.