WINNER, Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award

Wonder World is a look at a part of the country not often written about (Casey Plett's work and Miriam Toews' come to mind - these places do exist in literature, just not widely) and a wonderful contribution to the queer literary landscape. I'll be on the lookout for what Byggdin writes next." - Tara-Michelle Ziniuk, ROOM Magazine

Twenty-seven-year-old Isaac Funk is broke, drifting, and questioning his lonely existence on the East Coast. Having left his conservative hometown of Newfield, Manitoba full of piss and vinegar, Isaac's dreams of studying music and embracing queer culture in Halifax have gradually fizzled out. When his grandfather dies and leaves him a substantial inheritance, Isaac is pulled back to the Prairies for the first time in ten years.

Finding his father Abe just as enigmatic and unreachable as always and his extended family more fragmented than ever, Isaac begins to wonder if there will ever be a place for him in Newfield.

Is the prodigal son home for good, or is it time to cut and run once more?

K.R. Byggdin's profile page

K.R. Byggdin grew up on the Prairies and now lives on the East Coast. They recently completed studies in English and Creative Writing at Dalhousie University. Their writing has appeared in anthologies and journals across Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. Wonder World is their first novel.

"Some writers seem to have an inborn affinity and genuine flare for originality and the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that quickly engages their reader's rapt attention and doesn't let go until the very last page is read. All of which is even more impressive when considering that Wonder World is K. R. Byggdin's debut as a published author - and they prove to be just such a talented novelist. A masterpiece of literary fiction, Wonder World is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition for community, college, and university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections." - Midwest Book Review

Wonder World is a look at a part of the country not often written about (Casey Plett's work and Miriam Toews' come to mind - these places do exist in literature, just not widely) and a wonderful contribution to the queer literary landscape. I'll be on the lookout for what Byggdin writes next." - Tara-Michelle Ziniuk, ROOM Magazine