Set in 13th-century Persia, A Poem of the Invisible World tells the story of Nouri, born with four ears and adopted by Habbib, a six-fingered member of a Sufi order. As he grows, Nouri faces challenge after challenge. Each difficult success breaks another link in the chain keeping him from full spiritual transcendence. Golding’s writing is always beautiful, but this story has a lushness you will sink into. Available October 6 from Picador Original (picadorusa.com). —Angel Curtis

