Out on 13 October 2026
Synopsis
The number one bestselling author of global sensation Lessons in Chemistry returns. Peck & Peck is the irresistible story of a young man whose life is turned upside down when he is hired by the most prestigious, secretive and dysfunctional poetry journal in the world: the renowned Peck & Peck . . .
'Charming, uplifting, soulful, and original' KRISTIN HANNAH, bestselling author of The Women
'A brilliant satire that's full of humor and heart' MEG MASON, bestselling author of Sorrow and Bliss
It's 1982, New York City. Crime is on the rise, muggings are in the streets, and Batter Gray, recent college graduate with a skill that no one wants - an 'ear' for poetry - is worried about his future. While all his friends have real jobs, he's folding T-shirts at the Gap. As for love? No. Not unless you count Sallie Mae, the student loan tyrant. He hears from Sallie all the time.
But when Batter gets a dream job at Peck & Peck, the most prestigious poetry quarterly in the world, his life moves into the literary fast lane. Soon Batter is knee-deep in the secret war between the two Editors in Chief, the famous Peck brothers - twins and enemies - as well as being privy to the private affairs of their thirty-nine editors, whose professed mission is the same: Find originality. Reward creativity. Burn the rest. And by 'burn', they mean incinerate.
Because at Peck & Peck, 'good' isn't good enough, 'interesting' doesn't cut it, plagiarists aren't tolerated, and parolees run the mailroom. Still want to submit your poem? Go with God.
Welcome to another dazzling and unforgettable novel from Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry. Hugely original, brilliantly funny and peopled with unforgettable characters, Peck & Peck is both a passionate ode to the written word and a heartwarming exploration of all that makes us human.
More praise for Peck & Peck:
'An absolute triumph. I won't forget this book. Ever' JENNIE GODFREY, Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things
'An absolute delight' CLARE CHAMBERS, bestselling author of Small Pleasures
'One of the best books I've ever read. Genius level clever' DONNA ASHWORTH, bestselling author of To The Women and Joy Chose You
'Magnificent. Captivating, funny, wise and wonderful' CHRIS WHITAKER, bestselling author of ALL THE COLOURS OF THE DARK
________________________________________
From the author of the award-winning, global bestseller Lessons in Chemistry:
*Translated into more than forty languages and developed as a major TV series for Apple TV
*Featured on BBC Radio 4 and BBC TV Between the Covers
*Winner of the Goodreads Choice Best Debut Novel Award
*Winner of the Books are My Bag Reader's Choice Award
*Winner of the Books are My Bag Breakthrough Author Award
*Winner of the Paul Torday Prize
*Shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Prize
*Shortlisted for the HWA Crown Award
*A Book of the Year for: Guardian, Times, Sunday Times, New York Times, Good Housekeeping, Woman & Home, Stylist, TLS, Oprah Daily, Newsweek, Mail on Sunday, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, India Knight, Hay Festival, Waterstones, Amazon and many more
*Bonnie Garmus was awarded Author of the Year at the British Book Awards
'Charming, uplifting, soulful, and original' KRISTIN HANNAH, bestselling author of The Women
'A brilliant satire that's full of humor and heart' MEG MASON, bestselling author of Sorrow and Bliss
It's 1982, New York City. Crime is on the rise, muggings are in the streets, and Batter Gray, recent college graduate with a skill that no one wants - an 'ear' for poetry - is worried about his future. While all his friends have real jobs, he's folding T-shirts at the Gap. As for love? No. Not unless you count Sallie Mae, the student loan tyrant. He hears from Sallie all the time.
But when Batter gets a dream job at Peck & Peck, the most prestigious poetry quarterly in the world, his life moves into the literary fast lane. Soon Batter is knee-deep in the secret war between the two Editors in Chief, the famous Peck brothers - twins and enemies - as well as being privy to the private affairs of their thirty-nine editors, whose professed mission is the same: Find originality. Reward creativity. Burn the rest. And by 'burn', they mean incinerate.
Because at Peck & Peck, 'good' isn't good enough, 'interesting' doesn't cut it, plagiarists aren't tolerated, and parolees run the mailroom. Still want to submit your poem? Go with God.
Welcome to another dazzling and unforgettable novel from Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry. Hugely original, brilliantly funny and peopled with unforgettable characters, Peck & Peck is both a passionate ode to the written word and a heartwarming exploration of all that makes us human.
More praise for Peck & Peck:
'An absolute triumph. I won't forget this book. Ever' JENNIE GODFREY, Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things
'An absolute delight' CLARE CHAMBERS, bestselling author of Small Pleasures
'One of the best books I've ever read. Genius level clever' DONNA ASHWORTH, bestselling author of To The Women and Joy Chose You
'Magnificent. Captivating, funny, wise and wonderful' CHRIS WHITAKER, bestselling author of ALL THE COLOURS OF THE DARK
________________________________________
From the author of the award-winning, global bestseller Lessons in Chemistry:
*Translated into more than forty languages and developed as a major TV series for Apple TV
*Featured on BBC Radio 4 and BBC TV Between the Covers
*Winner of the Goodreads Choice Best Debut Novel Award
*Winner of the Books are My Bag Reader's Choice Award
*Winner of the Books are My Bag Breakthrough Author Award
*Winner of the Paul Torday Prize
*Shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Prize
*Shortlisted for the HWA Crown Award
*A Book of the Year for: Guardian, Times, Sunday Times, New York Times, Good Housekeeping, Woman & Home, Stylist, TLS, Oprah Daily, Newsweek, Mail on Sunday, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, India Knight, Hay Festival, Waterstones, Amazon and many more
*Bonnie Garmus was awarded Author of the Year at the British Book Awards
Details
13 October 2026
448 pages
9781786588814
Imprint: Manilla Press
Reviews
“Charming, uplifting, soulful, and original, Peck & Peck is the perfect successor to Lessons In Chemistry. If you loved Elizabeth Zott, you will adore Batter Gray.”Kristin Hannah, Kristin Hannah
“This novel is everything: a love story, a literary thriller, a brilliant satire that's full of humor and heart. Only Bonnie Garmus can write like this.”Meg Mason, internationally bestselling author of Sorrow and Bliss, Meg Mason, internationally bestselling author of Sorrow and Bliss
“One of the best books I've ever read. Genius level clever. A superbly crafted, intricate story about life, love and standing up for what you believe in. I absolutely loved it.”Donna Ashworth, Donna Ashworth
“It was an absolute delight to escape into Bonnie Garmus's world of delinquent poets, demented publishers and recherché fonts. Her exuberant comedy and freewheeling imagination reminded me of John Irving in his prime. Many congratulations - no 'difficult second album' for Bonnie Garmus - I thought it was even better than her first.”Clare Chambers, bestselling author of Small Pleasures, Clare Chambers, bestselling author of Small Pleasures
