The People in the Trees

A visionary debut novel, an anthropological adventure story that combines the visceral allure of a thriller with a profound and tragic vision of what happens when cultures collide.

In 1950, Norton Perina, a young doctor, signs on for an expedition to a remote Micronesian island in search of a rumored lost tribe. The trip is a success, and Norton and his anthropologist companion find not only the tribe they're looking for but also a group of forest dwellers they name "The dreamers," who have somehow attained extraordinarily long life. Norton suspects the source of their longevity is an indigenous turtle and, unable to resist the possibility of near immortality, he kills one and smuggles it back to the States. He scientifically proves his thesis, earning worldwide fame and a Nobel Prize, but soon discovers that this miracle comes at a terrible price. As things quickly spiral out of his control, Norton's own demons take hold, with devastating personal consequences.

Hanya Yanagihara lives in New York.