What We Can Know

What We Can Know by Ian McEwan

From Booker Prize–winning author Ian McEwan comes What We Can Know, a genre-bending literary novel full of secrets, suspense, and historical depth. Spanning over a century, McEwan explores the enduring mysteries of human life, love, and the stories we leave behind.

In 2014, poet Francis Blundy honors his wife at a dinner with a heartfelt new poem, “A Corona for Vivien”. The intimate moment becomes the catalyst for a long-standing mystery when the only copy of the poem goes missing—sparking speculation and intrigue for generations.

Fast forward to 2119: in a flooded, post-apocalyptic England, scholar Thomas Metcalfe obsessively traces the lost poem through historical archives. As he unravels the puzzle, he uncovers a tale of intertwined loves, devastating crime, and the fragile nature of trust and memory.

Part love story, part literary detective tale, What We Can Know is a masterful exploration of history, human connection, and the enduring power of words. McEwan’s novel challenges readers to consider what can truly be known—and how much we risk losing when the world changes around us.