A Girl Bonds With Late Sister in Stuart Pennebaker’s ‘Ghost Fish’ (Unique)

What would you do in case your sibling was an animal within the afterlife? Creator Stuart Pennebaker posts that query in her upcoming novel.

PEOPLE has an unique first take a look at Pennebaker’s debut novel, Ghost Fish, which will likely be printed subsequent summer season by way of Little, Brown and Firm.

The novel follows Alison, a lady in her early twenties who strikes to New York Metropolis after her youthful sister instantly dies by drowning. Alison finds a job as a restaurant hostess, and works to keep away from her roommates, all whereas fearing that her life isn’t actually her personal.

One evening, Alison sees a ghostly fish form within the air. In some way, she is aware of it’s her sister, and Alison traps it in a jar to maintain together with her wherever she goes. However as Alison’s life within the metropolis begins to develop, she should confront the extent of her grief — and whether or not it’s going to maintain her from actually dwelling.

The writer tells PEOPLE that she was impressed to put in writing the guide, which has been in contrast by its writer to Sweetbitter and Our Wives Below the Sea, whereas working at a job just like her protagonist’s.

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“I began writing Ghost Fish once I was a bunch at a restaurant throughout grad faculty (my third internet hosting job!) and studying numerous books about eating places and meals — MFK Fisher, Ruth Reichl, Anthony Bourdain — however could not discover a guide about my explicit job, so I made a decision that may be my venture: to put in writing a novel from the host’s perspective,” Pennebaker says. “Sadly, my job wasn’t as thrilling or fascinating because the servers and cooks and restaurant critics — I used to be principally simply rolling silverware into napkins — and I felt utterly caught.”

“One afternoon, I used to be strolling round my neighborhood once I noticed one thing, a shadow or reflection from a window, and it was like I may virtually see a fish floating within the air. Once I noticed that flash, no matter it was, I knew precisely what would occur in my story: Alison’s sister, who died when the ladies have been youngsters, would come again to her as a ghost, however not simply any sort of ghost: a ghost within the type of a fish.”

The novel additionally enabled Pennebaker to discover subjects like grief and siblinghood.

“That is, no less than at first, an unlimited reduction to Alison who’s mired in loneliness and grief, and Alison’s sister as soon as once more turns into her confidante and closest good friend, floating in a pickle jar in Alison’s tote bag, as she navigates friendship and love and roommates and all the opposite disappointments and ecstasies of 1’s early twenties,” Pennebaker says. “I liked writing about sisterhood and spending time with these irritating, tender characters, and I am so excited for this guide to be out on this planet.”

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Ghost Fish will likely be printed on Aug. 5, 2025 and is now accessible for preorder, wherever books are offered.