Description

Spanning the course of a single day, this compelling debut novel introduces readers to a remarkable new literary talent, taking them along one woman’s journey through a city upended by crisis as she grapples with regrets from her past and a resolute hope for the future.

Just the night before, life was ordinary and safe: Another reality existed in which Annie and her husband fought quietly in their kitchen. Now, nine months pregnant and at Ikea shopping for a baby’s crib, Annie’s world changes instantly when a devastating earthquake sweeps through Portland, Oregon. Cut off from communication, lacking a phone or money, and separated from her husband, Annie realizes she must walk home through a city plunged into chaos.

As she navigates Portland’s wreckage and devastation, Annie witnesses both the desperation and kindness humans are capable of—unexpected generosity from strangers, rioting at stores, and an unforeseen bond formed with a young mother. Along the way, Annie confronts her own anxieties about motherhood, her faltering marriage, and a career defined by disappointments. Driven by the urgency of her circumstances and the belief that surviving the journey will offer a chance for change, Annie fights forward with determination.

A breathtakingly tense and emotionally charged debut novel, Tilt vividly explores the universal disappointments and desires we all carry, and just how deeply we’ll go to protect and save those we cherish.