Author R.F. Kuang Releases 'Katabasis' Novel Inspired by Afterlife, Amazon Series Expected

R.F. Kuang's latest novel, "Katabasis," explores themes of the afterlife and academia through a dark yet playful fantasy narrative. The story follows Alice, a doctoral student in analytic magick, who ventures into purgatory to find a recommendation letter from her deceased department chair, accompanied reluctantly by her classmate Peter. Drawing inspiration from classical works like Dante's "Inferno," the novel reflects Kuang's personal experiences as a Yale graduate student and her contemplations on mortality and eternal existence. "Katabasis" has garnered significant attention on BookTok and literary circles, being featured among the most-anticipated releases and is set for adaptation into an Amazon series produced by Kuang and led by "The Walking Dead" showrunner Angela Kang. The book marks a return to fantasy for Kuang following her satirical novel "Yellowface," showcasing her versatility as a genre writer. Despite the high expectations, Kuang remains focused and grounded about the book's release and reception.