Publisher's Synopsis
Through the enduring power of family bonds and the significance of human connection, A Map and Not a Tracing explores the act of remembering and forgetting.
At the heart of Ryan Hooper's deconstructed novel is the story of Alice Green and her family, which portrays memory not as a linear timeline but as a fragmented network of interconnected moments.
As a multi-disciplinary artist living in Cornwall, Alice's work is shaped by a deeply introspective journey through anxiety and personal loss.
Navigating a world that can often feel overwhelming, she channels her inner experiences into creative expression - using writing and art to explore themes of memory, identity and the delicate boundary between reality and imagination.
The novel embraces complexity and interconnectedness, where meaning emerges not from linear progression but from a web of unexpected, constantly shifting connections.
Published by Heavy Cloud Press, A Map and Not a Tracing builds on the foundations of Hooper's previous ergodic work, Joy Void. Navigating a complex literary terrain, this novel emphasises mapping connections over following a predetermined path.
"A Map and Not a Tracing is a literary cartography inspired by the boundless possibilities of a mapped reality." - Washed Up On Kernow Sands Podcast "Inspired by the philosophy of the rhizome, A Map and Not a Tracing is an (un)novel that grows and connects in unexpected ways." - Ergodic Journal "Dive into a world where connections are key and linearity is left behind. A Map and Not a Tracing is a bold and innovative work." - Investigate Today with Noah Veritas
