''Lily and the Octopus'' is the 2016

debut novel A debut novel is the first novel a novelist publishes. Debut novels are often the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to pu ...

of Steven Rowley.

Plot

A 42-year-old writer finds that a small octopus has attached itself to the head of his aging

dachshund The dachshund ( or ; German: 'badger dog'), also known as the wiener dog or sausage dog, badger dog, doxen and doxie, is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed. The dog may be smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired, with varie ...

, Lily.

Background

Rowley, a 43-year-old paralegal and screenwriter, had sold several unproduced screenplays before writing a short story about the death of his dachshund, Lily, to cope with his grief. Rowley's boyfriend encouraged him to expand it into a novel. Rowley wrote ''Lily and the Octopus'' in 100 days and submitted it to approximately 30 literary agents, who all declined to represent him. Rowley said of the manuscript, "I was proud of it as a piece of writing, but I never thought that this was going to change my life." Intending to self-publish, Rowley hired freelance editor Molly Pisani, who later pitched the novel to her former colleague, Karyn Marcus of

Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster LLC (, ) is an American publishing house owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts since 2023. It was founded in New York City in 1924, by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. Along with Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group US ...

. Impressed by the quality of the book, Marcus forwarded it to Simon & Schuster editor-in-chief Marysue Rucci. According to Marcus: In April 2015, ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...

'' reported that Marcus had acquired the novel for Simon & Schuster in a "nearly seven-figure" book deal. ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'' noted that the offer "was made with unusual speed", with ''

The New York Observer ''The New York Observer'' was a weekly newspaper established in 1987. In 2016, it ceased print publication and became the online-only newspaper ''Observer''. The media site focuses on culture, real estate, media, politics and the entertainment ...

'' calling it "a timeline unheard of in the slow-paced publishing industry".

Publication

''Lily and the Octopus'' was published on June 7, 2016.

Reception

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is ...

'' praised ''Lily and the Octopus'' as "an exceedingly authentic, keenly insightful, and heartbreakingly poignant tribute to the purity of love between a pet and its human". ''Publishers Weekly'' called the novel "sensitive, hilarious, and emotionally rewarding", adding that "in generous helpings of bittersweet humanity, Rowley has written an immensely poignant and touchingly relatable tale". ''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus. The magazine's publisher, Kirkus Media, is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fiction, no ...

'' wrote, "In his funny, ardent, and stanchly kooky way, Rowley expresses exactly what it's like to love a dog." Sara Gruen called ''Lily and the Octopus'' "A quirky and deeply affecting charmer of a novel

hat A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...

is funny, wise, and utterly original in its exploration of what it means to love any mortal creature." Julie Klam of ''

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...

'' described the novel as "heart-wrenching but ultimately breathtaking", and

Garth Stein Garth Stein (born December 6, 1964) is an American author and film producer from Seattle, Washington. Widely known as the author of the novel ''The Art of Racing in the Rain,'' Stein is also a documentary film maker, playwright, teacher, and ama ...

praised it as "a profound exploration of grief". In June 2016, ''Lily and the Octopus'' made the

American Booksellers Association The American Booksellers Association (ABA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1900 that promotes independent bookstores in the United States. ABA's core members are key participants in their communities' local economy and culture, and to ...

's IndieBound Bestseller List. ''The Washington Post'' put the novel on its list of "Notable Fiction in 2016".

Film adaptation

In April 2018,

Amazon Studios Amazon MGM Studios is an American film and television production and distribution company owned by Amazon, and headquartered at the Culver Studios complex in Culver City, California. Launched on November 16, 2010, it took its current name on O ...

acquired the rights to develop the novel into a feature film.

References

External links

* {{cite web , url=http://www.pressherald.com/2016/05/31/loss-of-dog-adopted-in-maine-inspires-magical-novel-to-authors-surprise/ , work=

Portland Press Herald The ''Portland Press Herald'' (abbreviated as ''PPH''; Sunday edition ''Maine Sunday Telegram'') is a daily newspaper based in South Portland, Maine, with a statewide readership. The ''Press Herald'' mainly serves southern Maine and is focused ...

, title=Loss of dog adopted in Maine inspires nearly $1 million advance for 'magical' novel , first=Rebecca , last=Gibian , date=May 31, 2016 , access-date=June 15, 2016 2016 American novels Novels about dogs American magic realism novels Simon & Schuster books 2016 debut novels