The Subtle Art of Folding Space is the exhilarating debut science fiction novel from Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author John Chu which channels unhinged physics, generational trauma, and the comfort of really good dim sum. This isn't your usual jaunt through quantum physics.
Most Ancipated Books of 2026—Esquire
Best New Science Fiction of 2026— New Scientist
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books to Look Forward To In 2026—Literary Hub
Most Anticipated Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of 2026—Book Riot
3 Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of April—Polygon
Ellie’s universe—and this one—is falling apart. Her ailing mother is in a coma; her sister, Chris, accuses her of being insufficiently Chinese between assassination attempts; and a shadowy cabal of engineers is trying to hijack the skunkworks, the machinery that keeps the physics of each universe working the way it’s supposed to.
Daniel, Ellie's cousin, has found an illicit device in the skunkworks—one that keeps Ellie's comatose mother alive while also creating destabilizing bugs in the physics of this universe. It's not a good day.
If she can confront her mother’s legacy and overcome her family’s generational trauma, she just might find a way to preserve the skunkworks and reconcile with her sister…but digging into her family’s past is thornier than it seems, and the secrets she uncovers will force Ellie to choose between her family and the universe itself.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Genre: Science Fiction
Most Ancipated Books of 2026—Esquire
Best New Science Fiction of 2026— New Scientist
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books to Look Forward To In 2026—Literary Hub
Most Anticipated Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of 2026—Book Riot
3 Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of April—Polygon
Ellie’s universe—and this one—is falling apart. Her ailing mother is in a coma; her sister, Chris, accuses her of being insufficiently Chinese between assassination attempts; and a shadowy cabal of engineers is trying to hijack the skunkworks, the machinery that keeps the physics of each universe working the way it’s supposed to.
Daniel, Ellie's cousin, has found an illicit device in the skunkworks—one that keeps Ellie's comatose mother alive while also creating destabilizing bugs in the physics of this universe. It's not a good day.
If she can confront her mother’s legacy and overcome her family’s generational trauma, she just might find a way to preserve the skunkworks and reconcile with her sister…but digging into her family’s past is thornier than it seems, and the secrets she uncovers will force Ellie to choose between her family and the universe itself.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Genre: Science Fiction
Praise for this book
"A wildly imaginative ride following people who maintain the universe as they navigate conspiracies, change and profound grief. Effortless, brimming with ideas and with deep heart--not to mention mouth watering food." - Aliette de Bodard
"A thorny, savory story about our deepest dependencies and the lies we tell to maintain them." - Seth Dickinson
"A work of crystalline vision and meticulous humanity. John Chu folds universes into shape." - Max Gladstone
"A thrilling and delectable glimpse into the machinery of our universe and others, with indelible characters and their attempt to navigate each other at the core. My favorite kind of science fiction: full of heart, humor, compassion, and delightful imagery. Definitely read this, but don't read it while hungry." - Sarah Pinsker
"A hearty helping of dysfunctional family dynamics accompanied by a delicious side of multiverse. I'd like seconds, please." - Cat Rambo
"Not enough SciFi contends with how hard people work to keep everything from falling out of the sky. Chu steps up to that challenge with a spirited exploration 'behind the scenes' of how fragile our world is (and the maintenance it requires). It bends physics and genres alike. It's a book we need right now." - John Wiswell
"A thorny, savory story about our deepest dependencies and the lies we tell to maintain them." - Seth Dickinson
"A work of crystalline vision and meticulous humanity. John Chu folds universes into shape." - Max Gladstone
"A thrilling and delectable glimpse into the machinery of our universe and others, with indelible characters and their attempt to navigate each other at the core. My favorite kind of science fiction: full of heart, humor, compassion, and delightful imagery. Definitely read this, but don't read it while hungry." - Sarah Pinsker
"A hearty helping of dysfunctional family dynamics accompanied by a delicious side of multiverse. I'd like seconds, please." - Cat Rambo
"Not enough SciFi contends with how hard people work to keep everything from falling out of the sky. Chu steps up to that challenge with a spirited exploration 'behind the scenes' of how fragile our world is (and the maintenance it requires). It bends physics and genres alike. It's a book we need right now." - John Wiswell
Visitors also looked at these books
Used availability for John Chu's The Subtle Art of Folding Space