Bad Nature A Novel
Bad Nature by Ariel Courage, published by Henry Holt and Company in April 2025, is a debut novel that presents a darkly humorous narrative centered on Hester, who, armed with a terminal diagnosis and a grudge, embarks on a journey to confront her estranged father. As she drives from New York City to California, Hester abandons her corporate law career and possessions, setting the stage for a road trip filled with unexpected encounters and revelations.
Throughout her travels, Hester meets John, an environmental activist, and together they explore various locations across the United States, from luxurious hotels to unconventional communities. This novel intertwines themes of family life, dark humor, and the complexities of human relationships, while also reflecting on broader societal issues such as ecological crises and the nature of grudges. With 304 pages, this edition invites readers to engage with Hester’s unique perspective and the moral dilemmas she faces along the way.
Official synopsis Publisher
Armed with a terminal diagnosis, a grudge, and a rental car, Hester sets out to fulfill her lifelong dream of killing her father in this brilliantly subversive and bleakly funny debut novel.
“Bad Nature shows we’re getting selfishness all wrong. As uproariously funny as a takedown of our deadly society can be, the novel is also an urgent call to exchange possession for belonging.”
—Alissa Nutting, The New York Times
When Hester is diagnosed with terminal cancer on her fortieth birthday, she knows immediately what she must do: abandon her possessions and drive to California to kill her estranged father. With no friends or family tying her to the life she’s built in New York City, she quits her wildly lucrative job in corporate law and starts driving west. She hasn’t made it far when she runs into John, an environmental activist in need of a ride to different superfund sites across the United States. From five-star Midwestern hotels to cultish Southwestern compounds, the two slowly make their way across the country. But will the revelations they experience along the way dissuade Hester from her goal?
Ragingly singular and surprisingly moving, Bad Nature is a story of stunning detours and twists until its final destination. Part road-trip novel, part revenge tale, part lament for our ongoing ecological crisis, it’s ultimately a deft examination of the indulgence of holding grudges, moral ambivalence, and the eternal possibility of redemption.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Bad Nature A Novel” about?
Who is the author of “Bad Nature A Novel”?
When was “Bad Nature A Novel” published?
What is the ISBN for “Bad Nature A Novel”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
