Del Rey, Penguin Random House are thrilled to announce the acquisition of the first novel by Keanu Reeves, THE BOOK OF ELSEWHERE, written in collaboration with acclaimed, award-winning author China Miéville, due for publication in Summer 2024

Del Rey, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, will publish THE BOOK OF ELSEWHERE by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville on July 23, 2024. North American rights for the novel were acquired on behalf of Del Rey by Ben Greenberg, VP, Editor-in-Chief, Random House, from Laura Bonner and Erin Malone at WME. Greenberg will also edit the novel. UK & Commonwealth rights were bought by Ben Brusey, Publishing Director, Century & Del Rey, from Matilda Forbes-Watson at WME.

The book will be published in print, audiobook and ebook by Del Rey UK on 23rd July 2024. An audio edition of THE BOOK OF ELSEWHERE will be released simultaneously by Penguin Random House Audio.

Here’s a quick announcement video from Keanu Reeves himself: 

Before we delve into what the book is about, here’s the cover:

Written in collaboration with acclaimed, award-winning author China Miéville, THE BOOK OF ELSEWHERE is the first novel by Keanu Reeves. Set in the world of the BRZRKR comic series Reeves created with writer Matt Kindt and artist Ron Garney, published by BOOM! Studios, THE BOOK OF ELSEWHERE follows an immortal warrior on a millennia-long quest to discover the key to his immortality—and perhaps, a way to free himself from it.

The BRZRKR comic was the #1 bestselling debut of a new comic property in over 25 years, and the #1 bestselling comic of the decade. The immortal saga of BRZRKR will soon expand further with a live-action Netflix film starring Keanu Reeves, and an anime spinoff series, also in development at Netflix.

‘It was extraordinary to have the opportunity to collaborate on THE BOOK OF ELSEWHERE with one of my favorite authors, China Miéville,’ said Keanu Reeves. ‘China did exactly what I was hoping for—he came in with a clear architecture for the story and how he wanted to play with the world of BRZRKR, a world that I love so much. I was thrilled with his vision and feel honored to be a part of this collaborative process.’

‘Sometimes the greatest games are those you play with other people’s toys,’ said China Miéville. ‘It was an honour, a shock and a delight when Keanu invited me to play. But I could never have predicted how generous he’d be with toys he’s spent so long creating, how glad to experiment together, how open to true collaboration. I hope readers get to experience even a fraction of the pleasure reading THE BOOK OF ELSEWHERE that I experienced in the writing – in the serious business of play.’

‘From the beginning BRZRKR has been unlike any other modern comic book franchise, and we are thrilled to partner with Del Rey to expand Keanu Reeves’ visionary world into the medium of prose with groundbreaking author China Miéville,’ said Filip Sablik, President, Publishing & Sales, BOOM! Studios. ‘We’re grateful to the amazing team at Del Rey for making THE BOOK OF ELSEWHERE a true publishing event!’

Ben Brusey, Publishing Director, Century & Del Rey UK said ‘To say we are excited for the publication of this literary blockbuster at Del Rey UK might be the understatement of the year. Keanu Reeves and China Miéville are a dream writing partnership. Both are master storytellers who have thrilled, surprised and won the hearts and minds of audiences and readers for decades. The Book of Elsewhere is science fiction at its very best – dazzling high-concept, beguiling characters and a profound, original plot that blends action, drama and existentialism in a bravura way that will leave readers moved and amazed. The writing is astonishing. We are privileged to publish this book by two creative visionaries, and we cannot wait for readers to experience this global publishing event this summer.’

Find out where you can pre-order your copy of The Book of Elsewhere  HERE

ABOUT KEANU REEVES:

As a remarkably eclectic actor, Keanu Reeves has made an indelible mark on the world of entertainment through the diverse roles he has played. He is most known for his starring roles in The Matrix and John Wick franchises. Reeves made his comic book-writing debut in 2021 with BRZRKR, a twelve-issue and graphic novel limited series distributed through BOOM! Studios, which quickly became the highest-selling original comic book series debut in over 25 years. In 2023, he returned to the big screen in John Wick: Chapter 4 which became the highest-grossing film in the franchise. His other recent projects include The Matrix Resurrections, John Wick 3: Parabellum, Always Be My Maybe, Toy Story 4, and the video game Cyberpunk 2077. Raised in Toronto, Reeves performed in various local theater productions and on television before relocating to Los Angeles.

ABOUT CHINA MIÉVILLE:

China Miéville is a New York Times-bestselling author of fiction and non-fiction. His novels include The City & The City, Embassytown, and Perdido Street Station. A recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship for fiction, his work has won the World Fantasy and the Arthur C. Clarke Awards, among others. His non-fiction includes a study of international law and a history of the Russian Revolution. chinamieville.net 

ABOUT DEL REY:

Del Rey is the home of adult and young adult science fiction and fantasy at Penguin Random House UK, dedicated to publishing the very best in commercial and crossover science fiction, fantasy, horror and graphic novels, as well as a range of official licensing titles for the world’s biggest franchises.